Our goal is to define mechanisms common to all replication systems by studying the process in the relatively simple replication system of bacteriophage T7. We will characterize the protein assemblies by genetic, biochemical, and structural methods. Movement of the T7 DNA replication fork involves only four proteins, three of which are encoded by the phage. This simplicity has made possible (i) the reconstitution of a replisome in which DNA synthesis is coordinated and nascent Okazaki fragments are found in replication loops, (ii) the determination of the crystal structures of all four proteins, and (iii) the visualization of replisomes by single- molecule techniques. T7 gene 5 DNA polymerase contains a unique segment (TBD within the thumb to which E. coli thioredoxin binds to increase processivity. The interaction of thioredoxin with the TBD, in turn, creates two basic loops to which the gene 4 helicase and the gene 2.5 ssDNA binding protein dock. Both these proteins have an acidic C-terminal tail bearing a C-terminal phenylalanine. Studies are designed to characterize this three-way switch. The essential phenylalanine has allowed the identification of contact points within the gene 5 protein. Altered gene 4 helicases provide an approach to understanding the sequential hydrolysis of dTTP, translocation on DNA, and the basis for dTTP specificity. Single molecule techniques allow us to visualize the movement of hexameric helicases on ssDNA. We are examining the interaction of the zinc motif of the primase with recognition sites in DNA. Single molecule experiments reveal pausing of the replisome during primer synthesis. We speculate that a trans mode of primer synthesis involving adjacent subunits plays a role in the process. During DNA synthesis the interaction of helicase with polymerase involves contacts other than the C- terminal tail, an interaction we hope to elucidate. Replicating polymerases can exchange with polymerases in solution without loss of processivity. We are exploring the mechanism by which this reaction occurs. Complexes of the T7 proteins with DNA are being crystallized. Gene 1.7 protein enables dideoxynucleosides to stop T7 growth and E. coli uridine/kinase can inhibit T7 growth. Both observations are under study. The rationale for studying the replication system of bacteriophage T7 is based on the premise that the molecular events found in this relatively simple system can be extended to more complex organisms. Such information provides a rational basis for curtailing abnormal replication and recombination in neoplastic cells. The identification of inhibitors of the proteins involved can provide novel chemo-therapeutic agents. In addition, the proteins of DNA replication can, themselves, often be used as reagents to dissect other processes. ? ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
2R01GM054397-45
Application #
7346879
Study Section
Molecular Genetics A Study Section (MGA)
Program Officer
Portnoy, Matthew
Project Start
1976-01-01
Project End
2011-12-31
Budget Start
2008-01-01
Budget End
2008-12-31
Support Year
45
Fiscal Year
2008
Total Cost
$670,533
Indirect Cost
Name
Harvard University
Department
Biochemistry
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
047006379
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02115
Hernandez, Alfredo J; Richardson, Charles C (2018) Gp2.5, the multifunctional bacteriophage T7 single-stranded DNA binding protein. Semin Cell Dev Biol :
Hernandez, Alfredo J; Richardson, Charles C (2017) Kinetics of Lagging-strand DNA Synthesis In Vitro by the Bacteriophage T7 Replication Proteins. J Vis Exp :
Hernandez, Alfredo J; Lee, Seung-Joo; Richardson, Charles C (2016) Primer release is the rate-limiting event in lagging-strand synthesis mediated by the T7 replisome. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 113:5916-21
Tran, Ngoc Q; Tabor, Stanley; Richardson, Charles C (2014) Genetic requirements for sensitivity of bacteriophage t7 to dideoxythymidine. J Bacteriol 196:2842-50
Mitsunobu, Hitoshi; Zhu, Bin; Lee, Seung-Joo et al. (2014) Flap endonuclease activity of gene 6 exonuclease of bacteriophage T7. J Biol Chem 289:5860-75
Akabayov, Barak; Akabayov, Sabine R; Lee, Seung-Joo et al. (2013) Impact of macromolecular crowding on DNA replication. Nat Commun 4:1615
Zhu, Bin; Tabor, Stanley; Raytcheva, Desislava A et al. (2013) The RNA polymerase of marine cyanophage Syn5. J Biol Chem 288:3545-52
Tran, Ngoc Q; Tabor, Stanley; Amarasiriwardena, Chitra J et al. (2012) Characterization of a nucleotide kinase encoded by bacteriophage T7. J Biol Chem 287:29468-78
Tran, Ngoc Q; Lee, Seung-Joo; Akabayov, Barak et al. (2012) Thioredoxin, the processivity factor, sequesters an exposed cysteine in the thumb domain of bacteriophage T7 DNA polymerase. J Biol Chem 287:39732-41
Zhu, Bin; Lee, Seung-Joo; Tan, Min et al. (2012) Gene 5.5 protein of bacteriophage T7 in complex with Escherichia coli nucleoid protein H-NS and transfer RNA masks transfer RNA priming in T7 DNA replication. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 109:8050-5

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