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Identification and characterization of the single-stranded DNA-binding protein of bacteriophage P1.

The genome of bacteriophage P1 harbors a gene coding for a 162-amino-acid protein which shows 66% amino acid sequence identity to the Escherichia coli single-stranded DNA-binding protein (SSB). The expression of the P1 gene is tightly regulated by P1 immunity proteins. It is completely repressed during lysogenic growth and only weakly expressed during lytic growth, as assayed by an ssb-P1/lacZ fusion construct. When cloned on an intermediate-copy-number plasmid, the P1 gene is able to suppress the temperature-sensitive defect of an E. coli ssb mutant, indicating that the two proteins are functionally interchangeable. Many bacteriophages and conjugative plasmids do not rely on the SSB protein provided by their host organism but code for their own SSB proteins. However, the close relationship between SSB-P1 and the SSB protein of the P1 host, E. coli, raises questions about the functional significance of the phage protein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Biochemical basis of the constitutive repressor cleavage activity of recA730 protein. A comparison to recA441 and recA803 proteins.

The recA730 mutation results in constitutive SOS and prophage induction. We examined biochemical properties of recA730 protein in an effort to explain the constitutive activity observed in recA730 strains. We find that recA730 protein is more proficient than the wild-type recA protein in the competition with single-stranded DNA binding protein (SSB protein) for single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) binding sites. Because an increased aptitude in the competition with SSB protein has been previously reported for recA441 protein and recA803 protein, we directly compared their in vitro activities with those of recA730 protein. At low magnesium ion concentration, both ATP hydrolysis and lexA protein cleavage experiments demonstrate that these recA proteins displace SSB protein from ssDNA in a manner consistent with their in vivo repressor cleavage activity, i.e. recA730 protein > recA441 protein > recA803 protein > recAwt protein. Additionally, a correlation exists between the proficiency of the recA proteins in SSB protein displacement and their rate of association with ssDNA. We propose that an increased rate of association with ssDNA allows recA730 protein to displace SSB protein from the ssDNA that occurs naturally in Escherichia coli and thereby to become activated for the repressor cleavage that leads to SOS induction. RecA441 protein is similarly activated for repressor cleavage; however, in this case, significant SSB protein displacement occurs only at elevated temperature. At physiological magnesium ion concentration, we argue that recA803 protein and wild-type recA protein do not displace sufficient SSB protein from ssDNA to constitutively induce the SOS response.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Protein interactions in genetic recombination in Escherichia coli. Interactions involving RecO and RecR overcome the inhibition of RecA by single-stranded DNA-binding protein.

RecA promotes homologous pairing of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) with double-stranded DNA (dsDNA). This reaction occurs inefficiently if the ssDNA substrate is preincubated with Escherichia coli ssDNA-binding protein (SSB). However, RecO and RecR can act together as accessory factors for RecA to overcome this inhibition by SSB (Umezu, K., Chi, N.-W., and Kolodner, R. D. (1993) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 90, 3875-3879). To elucidate the mechanism that underlies this process, we examined protein-protein interactions between RecA, RecF, RecO, RecR, and SSB, and characterized the structure and activity of the ssDNA complexes formed with different combinations of these proteins. We obtained the following results. (i) RecO physically interacts with both RecR and SSB. The interaction between RecO and SSB is stronger than the RecO-RecR interaction. (ii) RecO and RecR do not remove SSB from SSB.ssDNA complexes, but instead bind to these complexes. The resulting RecO.RecR.SSB.ssDNA complexes were more active in RecA-mediated joint molecule formation than were SSB.ssDNA complexes. (iii) RecA can nucleate on the RecO.RecR.SSB.ssDNA complexes more efficiently than on SSB.ssDNA complexes. (iv) When RecA presynaptic filaments were formed in the presence of SSB, RecO, and RecR, the protein-DNA complexes obtained contained 70% of the amount of RecA required to saturate ssDNA. These complexes, however, can mediate joint molecule formation and strand exchange as efficiently as presynaptic filaments which are fully saturated with RecA. Based on these results, we propose dual roles for RecO and RecR in joint molecule formation. First, RecO and RecR bind to SSB.ssDNA complexes and modify their structure to allow RecA to nucleate on them efficiently. Second, RecO and RecR are retained in RecA presynaptic filaments and play a role in the subsequent homologous pairing process promoted by RecA.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Products of ozonized arachidonic acid potentiate the formation of DNA single strand breaks in cultured human lung cells.

In this study we examined the potential for environmental levels of ozone (03) to degrade arachidonic acid (AA), a polyunsaturated fatty acid abundantly present in the lung, into products that can produce DNA single strand breaks (ssb) in cultured human lung cells. Human lung fibroblasts were incubated with 60 microM AA that had been previously exposed to and degraded by 0.4 ppm 03 (1 hr.) Incubation of the cells with 03-exposed AA (but not with vehicle alone) for 1 hr at 4 degrees C and 37 degrees C produced 555 and 245 rad-equivalents of DNA ssb, respectively, as determined by the DNA alkaline elution technique. These breaks were completely eliminated when the ozonized AA solution was incubated with catalase prior to cell treatment, indicating that h202 was solely responsible for damaging DNA. Superoxide dismutase bovine serum albumin, or heat-inactivated catalase showed little, if any, inhibitory activity. The H202 content of the ozonized AA (31 +/- 4 microM) could account for only about 40% of the observed breaks. Potentiation of the H202-induced DNA ssb persisted after removal of the carbonyl substances by chromatographic procedures, suggesting that the non-carbonyl component of ozonized AA was the responsible component for inducing augmentation of the observed increases in DNA ssb. Ozonized AA also induced DNA ssb in cultures of the human bronchial epithelial cell line BEAS-2B. Again, these breaks were shown to exceed levels that could be attributed to the presence of H202 alone. These results indicate that products of ozonized AA can interact to potentiate DNA ssb in human lung cells.

Animals↗

Motor neurons rapidly accumulate DNA single-strand breaks after in vitro exposure to nitric oxide and peroxynitrite and in vivo axotomy.

The mechanisms of neuronal degeneration in motor neuron disease are not fully understood. We tested the hypothesis that oxidative stress in vitro and axotomy in vivo induce single-strand breaks (SSB) in DNA, a form of early DNA damage, in adult motor neurons early during their degeneration. We developed and characterized a novel cell suspension system enriched in motor neurons from adult rat spinal cord ventral horn. This cell system is approximately 84% neurons, with approximately 86% of these neurons being motor neurons; approximately 72% of these motor neurons are alpha-motor neurons. Motor neuron viability in suspension is approximately 100% immediately after isolation and approximately 61% after 12 hours of incubation. During incubation, isolated motor neurons generate high levels of superoxide. We used single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay) to detect DNA-SSB in motor neurons. Exposure of motor neurons to nitric oxide (NO) donors (sodium nitroprusside or NONOate), H2O2, or NO donor plus H2O2 rapidly induces DNA-SSB and causes motor neuron degeneration, the occurrence of which is dose and time related, as represented by comet formation and cell loss. Motor neuron toxicity is potentiated by cotreatment with NO donor and H2O2 (at nontoxic concentrations alone). Peroxynitrite causes DNA-SSB in motor neurons. The DNA damage profiles (shown by the comet morphology and moment) of NO donors, NO donor plus H2O2, and peroxynitrite are similar. In an in vivo model of motor neuron apoptosis, DNA-SSB accumulate slowly in avulsed motor neurons before apoptotic nuclear features emerge, and the comet fingerprint is similar to NO toxicity. We conclude that motor neurons challenged by oxidative stress and axotomy accumulate DNA-SSB early in their degeneration and that the formation of peroxynitrite is involved in the mechanisms.

Animals↗

Single-stranded DNA binding proteins (SSBs) from prokaryotic transmissible plasmids.

The DNA and protein sequences of single-stranded DNA binding proteins (SSBs) encoded by the plP71a, plP231a, and R64 conjugative plasmids have been determined and compared to Escherichia coli SSB and the SSB encoded by F-plasmid. Although the amino acid sequences of all of these proteins are highly conserved within the NH2-terminal two-thirds of the protein, they diverge in the COOH-terminal third region. A number of amino acid residues which have previously been implicated as being either directly or indirectly involved in DNA binding are conserved in all of these SSBs. These residues include Trp-40, Trp-54, Trp-88, His-55, and Phe-60. On the basis of these sequence comparisons and DNA binding studies, a role for Tyr-70 in DNA binding is suggested for the first time. Although the COOH-terminal third of these proteins diverges more than their NH2-terminal regions, the COOH-terminal five amino acid residues of all five of these proteins are identical. In addition, all of these proteins share the characteristic property of having a protease resistant, NH2-terminal core and an acidic COOH-terminal region. Despite the high degree of sequence homology among the plasmid SSB proteins, the F-plasmid SSB appears unique in that it was the only SSB tested that neither bound well to poly(dA) nor was able to stimulate DNA polymerase III holoenzyme elongation rates. Poly [d(A-T)] melting studies suggest that at least three of the plasmid encoded SSBs are better helix-destabilizing proteins than is the E. coli SSB protein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Purification and characterization of the single-stranded DNA binding protein from Streptococcus pneumoniae.

The Escherichia coli single-stranded DNA binding (SSB) protein is a non-sequence-specific DNA binding protein that functions as an accessory factor for the RecA protein-promoted three-strand exchange reaction. An open reading frame encoding a protein similar in size and sequence to the E. coli SSB protein has been identified in the Streptococcus pneumoniae genome. The open reading frame has been cloned, an overexpression system has been developed, and the protein has been purified to greater than 99% homogeneity. The purified protein binds to ssDNA in a manner similar to that of the E. coli SSB protein. The protein also stimulates the S. pneumoniae RecA protein and E. coli RecA protein-promoted strand exchange reactions to an extent similar to that observed with the E. coli SSB protein. These results indicate that the protein is the S. pneumoniae analog of the E. coli SSB protein. The availability of highly-purified S. pneumoniae SSB protein will facilitate the study of the molecular mechanisms of RecA protein-mediated transformational recombination in S. pneumoniae.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

DNA repair in E. coli strains deficient in single-strand DNA binding protein.

Weigle reactivation and mutagenesis have been found to be defective in strains of E. coli deficient in single-strand DNA binding protein (SSB). These defects parallel those previously found in prophage induction and amplification of recA protein synthesis in ssb- strains. Together, these results demonstrate a role for SSB in the induction of SOS responses. UV survival studies of ssb- recA- and ssb- uvr- strains are presented which also suggest a role for SSB in recombinational repair processes but not in excision repair. Studies of host cell reactivation support this latter conclusion.

DNA Helicases↗

Sudan Black B: chemical structure and histochemistry of the blue main components.

Sudan Black B contains two blue main components, SSB-I and SSB-II. Their chemical structures were determinated by the aid of two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography, column chromatography, absorption, IR, mass, H1-NMR, and C13-NMR spectroscopy and were proved by alternate synthesis. SSB-I has been found to be 2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl4-[(4-phenylazo-1-naphthalenyl)-azol]-1H-perimidine. For SSB-II was confirmed the known structure 2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-6-[(4-phenylazo-1-naphthalenyl)-azo]-1H-permidine. Relations of chemical structure of SSB-I and SSB-II to their staining properties are discussed.

Azo Compounds↗

Escherichia coli single-strand binding protein-DNA interactions on carbon nanotube-modified electrodes from a label-free electrochemical hybridization sensor.

An electrochemical hybridization biosensor based on the intrinsic oxidation signals of nucleic acids and proteins has been designed, that makes use of the unique binding event between Escherichia coli single-strand binding protein (SSB) and single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). The voltammetric signal from guanine oxidation significantly decreased upon binding of SSB to single-stranded oligonucleotides (probe), anchored on a single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) -modified screen-printed carbon electrode (SPE). Simultaneously, oxidation of the tyrosine (Tyr) and tryptophan (Trp) residues of the SSB protein increased upon binding of the SSB protein to ssDNA and ss-oligonucleotides. After the hybridization, SSB did not bind to the double helix form, and the guanine signal could be observed along with the disappearance of the oxidation signal of the protein. The amplification of intrinsic guanine and protein oxidation signals by SWCNT, and a washing step with sodium dodecylsulfate, enabled the specific detection of a point mutation. Monitoring the changes in the guanine and protein signals upon hybridization greatly simplified the detection procedure. The detection limit of 0.15 microg/ml target DNA can be applied to genetic assays. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work that utilizes the monitoring of SSB-DNA interactions on a solid transducer for the electrochemical detection of DNA hybridization by using intrinsic oxidation signals.

Base Sequence↗

Reaction rate coefficients of hydroxyl radical-induced DNA single- and alpha-type double-strand breaks.

With a model system of pBR322 plasmid DNA solution in vitro, the dose effects of radiation-induced single- and double-strand breaks (SSB and DSB) were measured and DSB was distinguished into alpha- and beta-types. Under the condition of low scavenging capacity existing in the irradiated DNA solution, SSB and alpha DSB were mainly induced by hydroxyl radicals (.OH). Moreover, a certain relationship was obtained between the SSB and alpha DSB yields and the DNA concentration. It was found that when the DNA solution was irradiated in the presence of 2.5 mmol dm-3 mannitol, the reciprocals of G(SSB) and G(alpha DSB), respectively, were linearly related to the reciprocal of the DNA concentration, i.e. the competition reactions of DNA and mannitol for .OH radicals can be described by second-order kinetics. The rate coefficients and the efficiencies of the .OH radical inducing SSB were deduced. Also, the reaction rate coefficients and the efficiencies for the induction of alpha DSB from SSB by the .OH radical transfer mechanism, were first derived from the competition kinetics.

DNA↗

Characterization of the DNA damage in 6-thioguanine-treated cells.

6-Thioguanine (TG) incorporation into DNA has been associated with cytotoxicity and DNA damage in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) and murine leukemia L1210 cells. According to alkaline elution analysis, single-strand breaks (SSB) occur in both cell types. DNA-protein and interstrand crosslinks are prominent features of TG effects in L1210, CEM, and HL-60 but not CHO cells. To assess which DNA strand experiences SSB in CHO cells, the cells were synchronized by growth to confluence (late G1, S). The cells were then diluted into fresh medium so that they underwent a round of division during a subsequent 16-hr interval. They were treated with TG during this first cell cycle, and mitotic cells were harvested at the end of the first cycle using colcemid. SSB were determined in parental DNA (radiolabeled with thymidine during growth to confluence), TG-containing DNA (radiolabeled with [14C]TG during drug exposure), and daughter DNA (labeled with thymidine during the second cell cycle). SSB occurred in TG-containing DNA late in the second cell cycle after drug exposure and in the DNA synthesized from a TG-DNA template (daughter DNA). This observation is consistent with the known delayed cytotoxicity and chromosomal aberrations seen in CHO cells. The SSB suggest relatively normal elongation of DNA containing TG but altered synthesis and/or ligation from a TG-DNA template. This premise was tested in synchronized CHO cells. The DNA strand incorporating TG elongated naturally; however, DNA elongation was impaired in the cell cycle following TG treatment. The results are consistent with SSB in daughter DNA synthesized from a TG-DNA template due to inability to elongate the newly-synthesized strand.

Animals↗

Differential effects of glutathione depletion and metallothionein induction on the induction of DNA single-strand breaks and cytotoxicity by tert-butyl hydroperoxide in cultured mammalian cells.

Induction of DNA single-strand breaks (ssb), their resealing and cytotoxicity by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BuOOH) were investigated in cultured Chinese hamster V79 cells. The effect of the depletion of cellular glutathione (GSH), iron chelation and induction of metallothionein (MT) on these parameters was studied. t-BuOOH in a concentration range of 0.02-0.5 mM induced DNA ssb in a dose-dependent fashion. Strand breakage increased as a function of time up to 1 h. Divalent iron chelator o-phenanthroline suppressed markedly the induction of DNA ssb while the trivalent iron chelator desferrioxamine had no effect. GSH-depletion increased cytotoxicity of t-BuOOH. In contrast, the depletion of GSH did not affect the efficiency of formation of DNA ssb by t-BuOOH and the rate of resealing of the DNA damage. The induction of MT did not influence the efficiency of formation of DNA ssb by t-BuOOH. In summary, while GSH depletion and MT induction affected the formation of DNA ssb and cytotoxicity differently divalent iron was required for both. Therefore, appears likely that DNA breakage and cytotoxicity by t-BuOOH are caused by independent mechanisms.

Animals↗

Quiescent human peripheral blood lymphocytes do not contain a sizable amount of preexistent DNA single-strand breaks.

Sedimentation of nucleoids through neutral sucrose density gradients has shown that nucleoids isolated from phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) sediment faster than nucleoids derived from quiescent lymphocytes, which was attributed to rejoining of DNA single-strand breaks (SSB) present in the resting cells (A.P. Johnstone, and G.T. Williams (1982) Nature (London) 300, 368). We isolated PBL from donors and determined the amount of SSB in nonradiolabeled, untreated resting and PHA-stimulated cells by applying the alkaline filter elution technique. Calibration was based on dose-dependent induction of SSB by 60Co-gamma-radiation. Quiescent cells did not contain a sizable amount of SSB. Mitogen-stimulated cells showed equally low amounts of SSB per cell. The present study indicates that the interpretation of the results obtained with the nucleoid sedimentation technique concerning the supposed rejoining of SSB in PHA-stimulated human lymphocytes is incorrect. Other, equally sensitive, techniques such as alkaline filter elution appear to be preferable for studies on DNA damage and repair.

DNA Damage↗

Assembly of presynaptic filaments. Factors affecting the assembly of RecA protein onto single-stranded DNA.

We have previously shown that the assembly of RecA protein onto single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) facilitated by SSB protein occurs in three steps: (1) rapid binding of SSB protein to the ssDNA; (2) nucleation of RecA protein onto this template; and (3) co-operative polymerization of additional RecA protein to yield presynaptic filaments. Here, electron microscopy has been used to further explore the parameters of this assembly process. The optimal extent of presynaptic filament formation required at least one RecA protein monomer per three nucleotides, high concentrations of ATP (greater than 3 mM in the presence of 12 mM-Mg2+), and relatively low concentrations of SSB protein (1 monomer per 18 nucleotides). Assembly was depressed threefold when SSB protein was added to one monomer per nine nucleotides. These effects appeared to be exerted at the nucleation step. Following nucleation, RecA protein assembled onto ssDNA at net rates that varied from 250 to 900 RecA protein monomers per minute, with the rate inversely related to the concentration of SSB protein. Combined sucrose sedimentation and electron microscope analysis established that SSB protein was displaced from the ssDNA during RecA protein assembly.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Molecular dosimetry of DNA damage caused by alkylation. I. Single-strand breaks induced by ethylating agents in cultured mammalian cells in relation to survival.

Cultured Chinese hamster ovary cells were treated with ethylating agents. DNA lesions giving rise to single-strand breaks (ssb) or alkali-labile sites were measured by centrifugation in alkaline sucrose gradients after lysis in alkali. 4 agents with different tendencies to ethylate preferentially either at N or O atoms were compared, namely N-ethyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (ENNG), N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU), ethyl methanesulphonate (EMS) and diethyl sulphonate (DES). The compounds differed greatly in their potency to induce the lesions measured when compared on a molar basis, but comparison at equicytotoxic doses showed relatively small differences. Upon prolonged incubation of the DNA in alkali, the number of ssb increased considerably. DNA from untreated cells showed biphasic kinetics: slow ssb formation for about 10 h, then the rate increased and remained constant for up to 40 h. Treated cells showed an accelerated, dose-dependent linear generation of ssb for 10 h, followed by a short plateau; then ssb were formed again at a constant rate, somewhat higher than that in controls. Ssb formed in the initial phase are ascribed to phosphotriester hydrolysis, those after the plateau to unidentified causes. Zero intercepts appeared to be a measure of apurinic sites generated intracellularly. A 24-h repair period preceding lysis reduced the ENNG intercept, but not that of DES. Rapid degradation of DES during the 1-h treatment occurred, so most "apurinic-site lesions" were induced in the beginning of exposure and possibly were already repaired at the end. The types of lesion distinguished (reparable and non-reparable apurinic sites, phosphotriesters) appeared of little consequence for cell survival.

Alkylating Agents↗

Growth inhibition and DNA damage induced by benzo[a]pyrene and formaldehyde in primary cultures of rat tracheal epithelial cells.

The effects of benzo[a]pyrene (BAP) and formaldehyde (HCHO), alone and combined, on cell growth and DNA damage were determined in primary cultures of rat tracheal epithelial cells dissociated from rat tracheas. Cell cultures treated with 25 microM BAP for 24 h or 200 microM HCHO for 90 min did not have a marked reduction in cell growth. However, their combined treatment reduced cell growth by 60% of control when cultures were exposed to BAP followed by HCHO as well as the reverse order. None of these treatments significantly decreased cell viability as judged by dye exclusion, nor did they enhance cell terminal differentiation as measured by cornified envelope formation. Alkaline elution analysis of DNA damage detected both DNA-protein crosslinks (DPC) and DNA single-strand breaks (SSB) as a result of HCHO treatment, whereas BAP treatment caused only SSB. While HCHO-induced SSB were repaired within 2 h, BAP-induced SSB were detected 3 days after treatment. Combined treatment of cell cultures with BAP followed by HCHO resulted in more SSB than was obtained from either agent alone, but less DPC than was detected from HCHO alone. The increased number of SSB obtained from this combined treatment may be related to the marked enhancement of carcinogenesis observed in earlier in vivo-in vitro studies.

Animals↗

DNA damage in lung cells in vivo and in vitro by 1,3-butadiene and nitrogen dioxide and their photochemical reaction products.

A UV-irradiated mixture of 1,3-butadiene and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) was tested for its potency to induce DNA damage measured as single-strand breaks (SSB) in lungs of mice. Both gases were also tested separately. After 16 h exposure a UV-irradiated mixture of 40 ppm butadiene + 20 ppm NO2, but not 20 ppm butadiene + 10 ppm NO2 + UV, induced a significant increase in SSB as measured by the alkaline unwinding technique. There was no increase in the level of SSB using the alkaline elution technique during the same testing conditions. However, after 5 h exposure to 60 ppm butadiene + 30 ppm NO2 + UV both methods demonstrated a significant increase in SSB. Mice were also exposed to butadiene at 80 and 200 ppm for 16 h and at 500 ppm for 5 h. DNA damage was demonstrated in both liver and lung after 5 and 16 h (only at 200 ppm) of exposure using the unwinding technique. Using the alkaline elution assay, a significant increase in the level of SSB in lung and liver was found only after 5 h of exposure. When mice were exposed to 30 ppm NO2 for 16 h or 50 ppm for 5 h, a significant increase in SSB was found with the unwinding technique. Alveolar macrophages from mice were also exposed in vitro to the gas mixture and to butadiene and NO2 separately. In these experiments, the DNA damage was studied with the unwinding technique. A significant effect was demonstrated with 40 ppm butadiene + 20 ppm NO2 + UV. NO2 itself contributed to some extent to the increase. Reasons for the discrepancies between the unwinding and the alkaline elution techniques are discussed.

Air Pollutants↗