Accurate control of genome replication initation is essential for genome stability. In particular, organisms with multiple replication origins per chromosome must ensure that initiation of DNA replication at each origin is highly regulated. In eukaryotes, the cell cycle circuitry controls initiation by a complex series of post- translation modifications. The manner in which these modifications impinge upon the function of the replication apparatus is an area of active research and much remains to be discovered. We have previously shown that archaea of the genus Sulfolobus possess three replication origins per chromosomes and each fires once in every cell cycle. In the current proposal we describe a series of experiments to investigate the control of loading and activation of the conserved MCM replication helicase. In eukaryotic chromosomes, all replication start sites are defined by binding of the origin recognition complex, ORC that ultimately directs the position of loading of the MCM helicase. Given their central role in replication it is not surprising that components of ORC, such as Orc1, are essential genes in eukaryotes. Orc1 is evolutionarily conserved in the archaeal domain of life. The chromosomes of archaea of the genus Sulfolobus contain three replication origins that are defined by distinct initiator proteins. Furthermore none of the Sulfolobus Orc1-like initiators are essential for viability. This mosaic nature of the Sulfolobus chromosome provides a unique tool with which to dissect the mode of action of the conserved Orc1 proteins in living cells. We will exploit this tool to perform genetic biochemical and dissections of the role of Orc in MCM loading in vivo and in vitro. Additionally, our preliminary data reveal the existence of positive control of the MCM helicase by phosphorylation and we will determine the basis of this activation of the helicase. In addition to establishing novel paradigms for prokaryotic DNA replication, our work will serve as a model for the fundamentally related, yet organizationally more complex, eukaryotic DNA replication apparatus.

Public Health Relevance

Accurate and appropriately controlled DNA replication is pivotal for the propagation of all organisms. Despite decades of work, key steps in the initiation of replication remain poorly understood. We will employ a simple model system to investigate the fundamentally conserved basis of controlled initiation of replication.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01GM125579-02
Application #
9624784
Study Section
Prokaryotic Cell and Molecular Biology Study Section (PCMB)
Program Officer
Reddy, Michael K
Project Start
2018-01-15
Project End
2021-12-31
Budget Start
2019-01-01
Budget End
2019-12-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2019
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Indiana University Bloomington
Department
Biochemistry
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
006046700
City
Bloomington
State
IN
Country
United States
Zip Code
47401
Yan, Jiangyu; Holzer, Sandro; Pellegrini, Luca et al. (2018) An archaeal primase functions as a nanoscale caliper to define primer length. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 115:6697-6702