DNA transposons are discrete DNA sequences that can move (transpose) from one location in the genome to another. They are present in virtually all organisms and contribute to both genome structure and function. DNA transposons are also natural gene delivery vehicles that are being developed as tools for genome engineering, such as insertional mutagenesis and transgenesis, and for human gene therapy. The reaction of DNA transposition occurs within a protein-DNA complex (transpososome), which contains two or more transposase enzymes and the ends of the transposon DNA. Despite the significant progress in understanding the DNA transposition has been made using biochemical and molecular genetics approaches, fundamental questions about the functional and structural mechanisms underpinning transpososome assembly and operation remain unaddressed. The long-term objective of my laboratory is to elucidate these mechanisms and how they can be exploited for different genetic applications. In this project we propose to investigate a Sleeping Beauty (SB) DNA transposon, the most widely used transposon in research genetic applications and the first and only DNA transposon in clinical trials for human gene therapy. The specific objective of this proposal is to obtain the critically needed high-resolution structural and dynamics information on SB transposase and its binding to DNA. Our experimental approach integrates advanced solution NMR techniques, mutagenesis, and biochemical functional assays.
The specific aims of this proposal are directed at (1) identifying key functionally important structural features of the SB transposase, (2) the functional dynamics of the SB transposase, and (3) establishing the role of the RED subdomain of SB transposase in the transposon DNA recognition. The results will have broad applications to understanding the functional structural and dynamics features of DNA transposases and significant particular applications to human gene therapy and gene delivery to animal cells using the SB transposon.
DNA transposons contribute to both genome structure and function of virtually all organisms and are powerful tools for functional genomics and gene therapy, however the mechanism by which DNA transposons act is poorly understood. Proposed structural and dynamics studies will provide a mechanistic insight into how DNA transposons work and how they can be exploited for research and therapy. The results will be especially significant for understanding the mechanism of the Sleeping Beauty DNA transposon that is widely used for insertional mutagenesis and production of transgenic animals and is currently in the first human clinical trial for the treatment of B-lymphoid malignancies, and for expanding its applications to treat monogenic diseases in humans.
| Konnova, Tatiana A; Singer, Christopher M; Nesmelova, Irina V (2017) NMR solution structure of the RED subdomain of the Sleeping Beauty transposase. Protein Sci 26:1171-1181 |
| Leighton, Gage O; Konnova, Tatiana A; Idiyatullin, Bulat et al. (2014) The folding of the specific DNA recognition subdomain of the sleeping beauty transposase is temperature-dependent and is required for its binding to the transposon DNA. PLoS One 9:e112114 |
