The long-term objective of this proposal is to understand how a replisome responsible for DNA replication is assembled from its component proteins and how it functions in the coordination of leading and lagging strand DNA synthesis. The system being examined to gain such insights is the T4 phage replisome derived from eight proteins including a polymerase, clamp-loader complex, clamp, helicase, primase, helicase loader, and single- stranded DNA-binding protein. These proteins can be grouped into subassemblies: the holoenzyme and the primosome reconstituted from the polymerase and clamp proteins, and from the helicase and primase proteins respectively. We are specifically interested in how these subassemblies are formed, their composition and structure, the identity of their protein-protein contacts, their interactions with single-stranded DNA binding protein, their location relative to their DNA templates, their dynamic properties with respect to dissociation from the replisome and their movement at the replication fork. The ultimate objective is to integrate these finding with our proposed observations of a functioning replisome carrying out leading/lagging strand synthesis at the single-molecule level. Answers to these complex questions will be sought with a wide assortment of techniques varying from crystallography to single-molecule and ensemble kinetics. The generality of the findings will be tested by extension of similar experiments to the yeast (Sacchromyces cerevisae) and human holoenzyme. Building on our understanding of holoenzyme assembly and function, the proposed studies will expand to investigate lesion bypass, and how a replisome copes with the problem of a damaged template base in creating a complementary strand. Of particular interest is how a specific lesion bypass polymerase is selected from a pool of Y-class polymerase candidates;the signal for and role of ubiquitination in the switch of a Y-class polymerase for the replicative polymerase;the composition of the bypass holoenzyme complex;and ultimately the pathway for reversal and restoration of the replicative holoenzyme. Investigations will be at the in vitro and cellular level. DNA replication is at the heart of a cell's ability to clonally expand;a deepened understanding of this fundamental process is essential for interpreting the effects of changes in the fidelity and efficiency of replication in a variety of disease states, from viral infection to cancer and for the selection of specific replisomal and bypass proteins as potential therapeutic targets.

Public Health Relevance

DNA replication is at the heart of a cell's ability to clonally expand;a deepened understanding of this fundamental process is essential for interpreting the effects of changes in the fidelity and efficiency of replication in a variety of disease states, from viral infection to cancer and for the selection of specific replisomal and bypass proteins as potential therapeutic targets.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01GM013306-48
Application #
8399737
Study Section
Molecular Genetics A Study Section (MGA)
Program Officer
Gerratana, Barbara
Project Start
1976-01-01
Project End
2014-12-31
Budget Start
2013-01-01
Budget End
2013-12-31
Support Year
48
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$473,860
Indirect Cost
$152,381
Name
Pennsylvania State University
Department
Chemistry
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
003403953
City
University Park
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
16802
Benkovic, Stephen J; Spiering, Michelle M (2017) Understanding DNA replication by the bacteriophage T4 replisome. J Biol Chem 292:18434-18442
Hedglin, Mark; Aitha, Mahesh; Benkovic, Stephen J (2017) Monitoring the Retention of Human Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen at Primer/Template Junctions by Proteins That Bind Single-Stranded DNA. Biochemistry 56:3415-3421
Hedglin, Mark; Benkovic, Stephen J (2017) Eukaryotic Translesion DNA Synthesis on the Leading and Lagging Strands: Unique Detours around the Same Obstacle. Chem Rev 117:7857-7877
Hedglin, Mark; Benkovic, Stephen J (2017) Replication Protein A Prohibits Diffusion of the PCNA Sliding Clamp along Single-Stranded DNA. Biochemistry 56:1824-1835
Spiering, Michelle M; Hanoian, Philip; Gannavaram, Swathi et al. (2017) RNA primer-primase complexes serve as the signal for polymerase recycling and Okazaki fragment initiation in T4 phage DNA replication. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 114:5635-5640
Hedglin, Mark; Pandey, Binod; Benkovic, Stephen J (2016) Characterization of human translesion DNA synthesis across a UV-induced DNA lesion. Elife 5:
Hedglin, Mark; Pandey, Binod; Benkovic, Stephen J (2016) Stability of the human polymerase ? holoenzyme and its implications in lagging strand DNA synthesis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 113:E1777-86
Choi, Jung-Suk; Dasari, Anvesh; Hu, Peter et al. (2016) The use of modified and non-natural nucleotides provide unique insights into pro-mutagenic replication catalyzed by polymerase eta. Nucleic Acids Res 44:1022-35
Noble, Erin; Spiering, Michelle M; Benkovic, Stephen J (2015) Coordinated DNA Replication by the Bacteriophage T4 Replisome. Viruses 7:3186-200
Zhao, Yanhui; Chen, Danqi; Yue, Hongjun et al. (2014) Dark-field illumination on zero-mode waveguide/microfluidic hybrid chip reveals T4 replisomal protein interactions. Nano Lett 14:1952-60

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