A eukaryotic cell must be able to transport macromolecules directionally between its nucleus and cytoplasm, and to divide the cell through mitosis. These fundamental processes are controlled by localizing the small Ran guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) protein in its GDP or GTP bound state within the cytoplasm or the nucleus respectively, and by generating a gradient of RanGTP around the chromosomes. The spatial localization of RanGTP in the nucleus is achieved through chromatin bound RCC1 (regulator of chromosomal condensation) protein. RCC1 recruits Ran to the chromosomes and promotes the exchange of RanGDP for RanGTP, thereby creating a high concentration of RanGTP around chromosomes. We currently lack a molecular understanding of how RCC1 binds to the nucleosome and how RCC1 recruits Ran to the nucleosome, despite the critical importance of these interactions for basic cellular processes. Our overall goal is therefore to develop atomic models which describe how RCC1 and Ran bind to the nucleosome core particle.
Our specific aims are: 1. Define how RCC1 binds to nucleosomes through biochemical methods. We will challenge structural models for how RCC1 interacts with the nucleosome through pulldown, biolayer interferometry and fluorescence resonance energy transfer experiments. 2. Determine the structure of the RCC1/nucleosome complex. We will use single crystals of the RCC1/nucleosome complex we have grown to determine the structure of the complex. These crystallographic studies will be complemented with small angle X-ray and neutron scattering experiments to provide a solution structure of the complex. 3. Determine how chromatin-bound RCC1 binds to and activates Ran. We will test models for the Ran/RCC1/nucleosome complex by analyzing the effects of directed mutations on binding of Ran to the RCC1/nucleosome complex and on Ran's nucleotide exchange activity in the presence of RCC1 and the nucleosome.

Public Health Relevance

When a cell divides, each daughter cell must receive an equal share of the chromosomes which carry the cell's genetic blueprint. Unequal or improper distribution of the chromosomes can result in genetic instabilities and cancer. Our studies are directed at visualizing the molecules which regulate the equal distribution of chromosomes during cell division by creating a GPS or genome-positioning system for a eukaryotic cell.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01GM088236-01
Application #
7697436
Study Section
Macromolecular Structure and Function C Study Section (MSFC)
Program Officer
Preusch, Peter C
Project Start
2009-08-01
Project End
2013-07-31
Budget Start
2009-08-01
Budget End
2010-07-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$304,932
Indirect Cost
Name
Pennsylvania State University
Department
Biochemistry
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
003403953
City
University Park
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
16802
Sun, Jian; Paduch, Marcin; Kim, Sang-Ah et al. (2018) Structural basis for activation of SAGA histone acetyltransferase Gcn5 by partner subunit Ada2. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 115:10010-10015
Henrici, Ryan C; Pecen, Turner J; Johnston, James L et al. (2017) The pPSU Plasmids for Generating DNA Molecular Weight Markers. Sci Rep 7:2438
McGinty, Robert K; Tan, Song (2016) Recognition of the nucleosome by chromatin factors and enzymes. Curr Opin Struct Biol 37:54-61
Girish, Taverekere S; McGinty, Robert K; Tan, Song (2016) Multivalent Interactions by the Set8 Histone Methyltransferase With Its Nucleosome Substrate. J Mol Biol 428:1531-43
Jennings, Matthew J; Barrios, Adam F; Tan, Song (2016) Elimination of truncated recombinant protein expressed in Escherichia coli by removing cryptic translation initiation site. Protein Expr Purif 121:17-21
Liokatis, Stamatios; Klingberg, Rebecca; Tan, Song et al. (2016) Differentially Isotope-Labeled Nucleosomes To Study Asymmetric Histone Modification Crosstalk by Time-Resolved NMR Spectroscopy. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 55:8262-5
McGinty, R K; Makde, R D; Tan, S (2016) Preparation, Crystallization, and Structure Determination of Chromatin Enzyme/Nucleosome Complexes. Methods Enzymol 573:43-65
Kuo, Yin-Ming; Henry, Ryan A; Tan, Song et al. (2015) Site specificity analysis of Piccolo NuA4-mediated acetylation for different histone complexes. Biochem J 472:239-48
Kim, Sang-Ah; Chatterjee, Nilanjana; Jennings, Matthew J et al. (2015) Extranucleosomal DNA enhances the activity of the LSD1/CoREST histone demethylase complex. Nucleic Acids Res 43:4868-80
McGinty, Robert K; Tan, Song (2015) Nucleosome structure and function. Chem Rev 115:2255-73

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