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The UmuC subunit of the E. coli DNA polymerase V shows a unique interaction with the ?-clamp processivity factor

Patoli, Atif A.; Winter, Jody A.; Bunting, Karen A.

The UmuC subunit of the E. coli DNA polymerase V shows a unique interaction with the ?-clamp processivity factor Thumbnail


Authors

Atif A. Patoli

Jody A. Winter

Karen A. Bunting



Abstract

Background
Strict regulation of replisome components is essential to ensure the accurate transmission of the genome to the next generation. The sliding clamp processivity factors play a central role in this regulation, interacting with both DNA polymerases and multiple DNA processing and repair proteins. Clamp binding partners share a common peptide binding motif, the nature of which is essentially conserved from phage through to humans. Given the degree of conservation of these motifs, much research effort has focussed on understanding how the temporal and spatial regulation of multiple clamp binding partners is managed. The bacterial sliding clamps have come under scrutiny as potential targets for rational drug design and comprehensive understanding of the structural basis of their interactions is crucial for success.

Results
In this study we describe the crystal structure of a complex of the E. coli β-clamp with a 12-mer peptide from the UmuC protein. UmuC is the catalytic subunit of the translesion DNA polymerase, Pol V (UmuD’2C). Due to its potentially mutagenic action, Pol V is tightly regulated in the cell to limit access to the replication fork. Atypically for the translesion polymerases, both bacterial and eukaryotic, Pol V is heterotrimeric and its β-clamp binding motif (357 QLNLF 361) is internal to the protein, rather than at the more usual C-terminal position. Our structure shows that the UmuC peptide follows the overall disposition of previously characterised structures with respect to the highly conserved glutamine residue. Despite good agreement with the consensus β-clamp binding motif, distinct variation is shown within the hydrophobic binding pocket. While UmuC Leu-360 interacts as noted in other structures, Phe-361 does not penetrate the pocket at all, sitting above the surface.

Conclusion
Although the β-clamp binding motif of UmuC conforms to the consensus sequence, variation in its mode of clamp binding is observed compared to related structures, presumably dictated by the proximal aspartate residues that act as linker to the poorly characterised, unique C-terminal domain of UmuC. Additionally, interactions between Asn-359 of UmuC and Arg-152 on the clamp surface may compensate for the reduced interaction of Phe-361.

Citation

Patoli, A. A., Winter, J. A., & Bunting, K. A. (2013). The UmuC subunit of the E. coli DNA polymerase V shows a unique interaction with the ?-clamp processivity factor. BMC Structural Biology, 13(July), Article 13. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6807-13-12

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Jul 4, 2013
Deposit Date Apr 9, 2014
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal BMC Structural Biology
Electronic ISSN 1472-6807
Publisher Springer Verlag
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 13
Issue July
Article Number 13
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6807-13-12
Keywords Translesion synthesis, Sliding clamp, Processivity factor, UmuC, Regulation
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/716686
Publisher URL http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6807/13/12

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