scholarly journals Mitochondrial genetic variation is enriched in G-quadruplex regions that stall DNA synthesis in vitro

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (8) ◽  
pp. 1292-1309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas J Butler ◽  
Katrina N Estep ◽  
Joshua A Sommers ◽  
Robert W Maul ◽  
Ann Zenobia Moore ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mitochondrial Dna ◽  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Dna Replication ◽  
Dna Synthesis ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Computational Analysis ◽  
Italian Population ◽  
Dna Structures ◽  
G Quadruplex

Abstract As the powerhouses of the eukaryotic cell, mitochondria must maintain their genomes which encode proteins essential for energy production. Mitochondria are characterized by guanine-rich DNA sequences that spontaneously form unusual three-dimensional structures known as G-quadruplexes (G4). G4 structures can be problematic for the essential processes of DNA replication and transcription because they deter normal progression of the enzymatic-driven processes. In this study, we addressed the hypothesis that mitochondrial G4 is a source of mutagenesis leading to base-pair substitutions. Our computational analysis of 2757 individual genomes from two Italian population cohorts (SardiNIA and InCHIANTI) revealed a statistically significant enrichment of mitochondrial mutations within sequences corresponding to stable G4 DNA structures. Guided by the computational analysis results, we designed biochemical reconstitution experiments and demonstrated that DNA synthesis by two known mitochondrial DNA polymerases (Pol γ, PrimPol) in vitro was strongly blocked by representative stable G4 mitochondrial DNA structures, which could be overcome in a specific manner by the ATP-dependent G4-resolving helicase Pif1. However, error-prone DNA synthesis by PrimPol using the G4 template sequence persisted even in the presence of Pif1. Altogether, our results suggest that genetic variation is enriched in G-quadruplex regions that impede mitochondrial DNA replication.

scholarly journals Mgs1 function at G-quadruplex structures during DNA replication

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katrin Paeschke ◽  
Peter Burkovics
Keyword(s):  
Dna Replication ◽  
Genome Stability ◽  
Mechanistic Model ◽  
Regulation Of Gene Expression ◽  
Telomere Maintenance ◽  
Dna Structures ◽  
Genomic Deletions ◽  
G Quadruplex

AbstractThe coordinated action of DNA polymerases and DNA helicases is essential at genomic sites that are hard to replicate. Among these are sites that harbour G-quadruplex DNA structures (G4). G4s are stable alternative DNA structures, which have been implicated to be involved in important cellular processes like the regulation of gene expression or telomere maintenance. G4 structures were shown to hinder replication fork progression and cause genomic deletions, mutations and recombination events. Many helicases unwind G4 structures and preserve genome stability, but a detailed understanding of G4 replication and the re-start of stalled replication forks around formed G4 structures is not clear, yet. In our recent study, we identified that Mgs1 preferentially binds to G4 DNA structures in vitro and is associated with putative G4-forming chromosomal regions in vivo. Mgs1 binding to G4 motifs in vivo is partially dependent on the helicase Pif1. Pif1 is the major G4-unwinding helicase in S. cerevisiae. In the absence of Mgs1, we determined elevated gross chromosomal rearrangement (GCR) rates in yeast, similar to Pif1 deletion. Here, we highlight the recent findings and set these into context with a new mechanistic model. We propose that Mgs1's functions support DNA replication at G4-forming regions.

scholarly journals Stabilization of G-quadruplex DNA structures in Schizosaccharomyces pombe causes single-strand DNA lesions and impedes DNA replication

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (19) ◽  
pp. 10998-11015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ikenna Obi ◽  
Matilda Rentoft ◽  
Vandana Singh ◽  
Jan Jamroskovic ◽  
Karam Chand ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Dna Replication ◽  
Schizosaccharomyces Pombe ◽  
Dna Lesions ◽  
Single Strand ◽  
Quadruplex Dna ◽  
Dna Structures ◽  
Replication Fork Progression ◽  
G Quadruplex

Abstract G-quadruplex (G4) structures are stable non-canonical DNA structures that are implicated in the regulation of many cellular pathways. We show here that the G4-stabilizing compound PhenDC3 causes growth defects in Schizosaccharomyces pombe cells, especially during S-phase in synchronized cultures. By visualizing individual DNA molecules, we observed shorter DNA fragments of newly replicated DNA in the PhenDC3-treated cells, suggesting that PhenDC3 impedes replication fork progression. Furthermore, a novel single DNA molecule damage assay revealed increased single-strand DNA lesions in the PhenDC3-treated cells. Moreover, chromatin immunoprecipitation showed enrichment of the leading-strand DNA polymerase at sites of predicted G4 structures, suggesting that these structures impede DNA replication. We tested a subset of these sites and showed that they form G4 structures, that they stall DNA synthesis in vitro and that they can be resolved by the breast cancer-associated Pif1 family helicases. Our results thus suggest that G4 structures occur in S. pombe and that stabilized/unresolved G4 structures are obstacles for the replication machinery. The increased levels of DNA damage might further highlight the association of the human Pif1 helicase with familial breast cancer and the onset of other human diseases connected to unresolved G4 structures.

scholarly journals Small-molecule G-quadruplex stabilizers reveal a novel pathway of autophagy regulation in neurons

eLife ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose F Moruno-Manchon ◽  
Pauline Lejault ◽  
Yaoxuan Wang ◽  
Brenna McCauley ◽  
Pedram Honarpisheh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Memory Deficits ◽  
Dna Helicase ◽  
Vitro Assay ◽  
Dna Structures ◽  
First Intron ◽  
G4 Dna ◽  
G Quadruplex ◽  
Dna Stabilization

Guanine-rich DNA sequences can fold into four-stranded G-quadruplex (G4-DNA) structures. G4-DNA regulates replication and transcription, at least in cancer cells. Here, we demonstrate that, in neurons, pharmacologically stabilizing G4-DNA with G4 ligands strongly downregulates the Atg7 gene. Atg7 is a critical gene for the initiation of autophagy that exhibits decreased transcription with aging. Using an in vitro assay, we show that a putative G-quadruplex-forming sequence (PQFS) in the first intron of the Atg7 gene folds into a G4. An antibody specific to G4-DNA and the G4-DNA-binding protein PC4 bind to the Atg7 PQFS. Mice treated with a G4 stabilizer develop memory deficits. Brain samples from aged mice contain G4-DNA structures that are absent in brain samples from young mice. Overexpressing the G4-DNA helicase Pif1 in neurons exposed to the G4 stabilizer improves phenotypes associated with G4-DNA stabilization. Our findings indicate that G4-DNA is a novel pathway for regulating autophagy in neurons.

Replication of cloned DNA containing the Alu family sequence during cell extract-promoting simian virus 40 DNA synthesis

1984 ◽  
Vol 4 (8) ◽  
pp. 1476-1482
Author(s):  
H Ariga
Keyword(s):  
Dna Replication ◽  
Dna Synthesis ◽  
Rna Polymerase Iii ◽  
Simian Virus 40 ◽  
Cell Extract ◽  
Simian Virus ◽  
T Antigen ◽  
Sv40 T Antigen ◽  
Sv40 Dna

The replicating activity of several cloned DNAs containing putative origin sequences was examined in a cell-free extract that absolutely depends on simian virus 40 (SV40) T antigen promoting initiation of SV40 DNA replication in vitro. Of the three DNAs containing the human Alu family sequence (BLUR8), the origin of (Saccharomyces cerevisiae plasmid 2 micron DNA (pJD29), and the yeast autonomous replicating sequence (YRp7), only BLUR8 was active as a template. Replication in a reaction mixture with BLUR8 as a template was semiconservative and not primed by a putative RNA polymerase III transcript synthesized on the Alu family sequence in vitro. Pulse-chase experiments showed that the small-sized DNA produced in a short-term incubation was converted to full-length closed circular and open circular DNAs in alkaline sucrose gradients. DNA synthesis in extracts began in a region of the Alu family sequence and was inhibited 80% by the addition of anti-T serum. Furthermore, partially purified T antigen bound the Alu family sequence in BLUR8 by the DNA-binding immunoassay. These results suggest that SV40 T antigen recognizes the Alu family sequence, similar to the origin sequence of SV40 DNA, and initiates semiconservative DNA replication in vitro.

Precise assignment of the heavy-strand promoter of mouse mitochondrial DNA: cognate start sites are not required for transcriptional initiation

1986 ◽  
Vol 6 (9) ◽  
pp. 3262-3267
Author(s):  
D D Chang ◽  
D A Clayton
Keyword(s):  
Mitochondrial Dna ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
High Rate ◽  
In Vitro Assays ◽  
Regulatory Sequences ◽  
Sufficient Information ◽  
Mitochondrial Rna ◽  
Loop Region ◽  
Heavy Strand

Transcription of the heavy strand of mouse mitochondrial DNA starts from two closely spaced, distinct sites located in the displacement loop region of the genome. We report here an analysis of regulatory sequences required for faithful transcription from these two sites. Data obtained from in vitro assays demonstrated that a 51-base-pair region, encompassing nucleotides -40 to +11 of the downstream start site, contains sufficient information for accurate transcription from both start sites. Deletion of the 3' flanking sequences, including one or both start sites to -17, resulted in the initiation of transcription by the mitochondrial RNA polymerase from alternative sites within vector DNA sequences. This feature places the mouse heavy-strand promoter uniquely among other known mitochondrial promoters, all of which absolutely require cognate start sites for transcription. Comparison of the heavy-strand promoter with those of other vertebrate mitochondrial DNAs revealed a remarkably high rate of sequence divergence among species.

scholarly journals In Vitro-Reconstituted Nucleoids Can Block Mitochondrial DNA Replication and Transcription

Cell Reports ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 66-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Géraldine Farge ◽  
Majda Mehmedovic ◽  
Marian Baclayon ◽  
Siet M.J.L. van den Wildenberg ◽  
Wouter H. Roos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mitochondrial Dna ◽  
Dna Replication ◽  
Mitochondrial Dna Replication

scholarly journals Initiation of simian virus 40 DNA replication in vitro: aphidicolin causes accumulation of early-replicating intermediates and allows determination of the initial direction of DNA synthesis.

1986 ◽  
Vol 6 (11) ◽  
pp. 3815-3825 ◽  
Author(s):  
R S Decker ◽  
M Yamaguchi ◽  
R Possenti ◽  
M L DePamphilis
Keyword(s):  
Dna Replication ◽  
Dna Synthesis ◽  
Dna Polymerase ◽  
Simian Virus 40 ◽  
Simian Virus ◽  
T Antigen ◽  
Early Gene ◽  
Initial Direction ◽  
Dna Polymerase Alpha

Aphidicolin, a specific inhibitor of DNA polymerase alpha, provided a novel method for distinguishing between initiation of DNA synthesis at the simian virus 40 (SV40) origin of replication (ori) and continuation of replication beyond ori. In the presence of sufficient aphidicolin to inhibit total DNA synthesis by 50%, initiation of DNA replication in SV40 chromosomes or ori-containing plasmids continued in vitro, whereas DNA synthesis in the bulk of SV40 replicative intermediate DNA (RI) that had initiated replication in vivo was rapidly inhibited. This resulted in accumulation of early RI in which most nascent DNA was localized within a 600- to 700-base-pair region centered at ori. Accumulation of early RI was observed only under conditions that permitted initiation of SV40 ori-dependent, T-antigen-dependent DNA replication and only when aphidicolin was added to the in vitro system. Increasing aphidicolin concentrations revealed that DNA synthesis in the ori region was not completely resistant to aphidicolin but simply less sensitive than DNA synthesis at forks that were farther away. Since DNA synthesized in the presence of aphidicolin was concentrated in the 300 base pairs on the early gene side of ori, we conclude that the initial direction of DNA synthesis was the same as that of early mRNA synthesis, consistent with the model proposed by Hay and DePamphilis (Cell 28:767-779, 1982). The data were also consistent with initiation of the first DNA chains in ori by CV-1 cell DNA primase-DNA polymerase alpha. Synthesis of pppA/G(pN)6-8(pdN)21-23 chains on a single-stranded DNA template by a purified preparation of this enzyme was completely resistant to aphidicolin, and further incorporation of deoxynucleotide monophosphates was inhibited. Therefore, in the presence of aphidicolin, this enzyme could initiate RNA-primed DNA synthesis at ori first in the early gene direction and then in the late gene direction, but could not continue DNA synthesis for an extended distance.

Stimulation of cell division and DNA replication inPrototheca richardsiby passage through larval amphibian guts

Parasitology ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 107 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. J. C. Beebee ◽  
A. L.-C. Wong
Keyword(s):  
Cell Division ◽  
Dna Replication ◽  
Growth Inhibition ◽  
Dna Synthesis ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Leucine Uptake ◽  
Amphibian Larvae ◽  
Larval Amphibian ◽  
Stimulation Of

SUMMARYPrototheca richardsi, an unpigmented heterotrophic alga, causes growth inhibition in amphibian larvae and has proved refractory to culturein Vitro.P. richardsireplication is dependent on regular passaging through tadpole digestive systems; uptake of thymidine by free-livingProtothecacells and incorporation into DNA are very low by comparison with leucine uptake and incorporation into protein, but DNA synthesis is detectable in cells isolated from tadpole intestines. DNA replication was elicited 6–8 h after ingestion in protothecans fed to tadpoles and subsequently re-isolated from them, providing that the tadpoles were fed subsequent to the ingestion. It appears that passaging through tadpole intestines provides an essential stimulus to maintaining an active cell division cycle inP. richardsi.

scholarly journals The Functional Consequences of Eukaryotic Topoisomerase 1 Interaction with G-Quadruplex DNA

Genes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 193
Author(s):  
Alexandra Berroyer ◽  
Nayun Kim
Keyword(s):  
Topoisomerase I ◽  
Genome Instability ◽  
Strand Break ◽  
Dna Topology ◽  
Single Strand Break ◽  
Dna Structures ◽  
G4 Dna ◽  
G Quadruplex

Topoisomerase I in eukaryotic cells is an important regulator of DNA topology. Its catalytic function is to remove positive or negative superhelical tension by binding to duplex DNA, creating a reversible single-strand break, and finally religating the broken strand. Proper maintenance of DNA topological homeostasis, in turn, is critically important in the regulation of replication, transcription, DNA repair, and other processes of DNA metabolism. One of the cellular processes regulated by the DNA topology and thus by Topoisomerase I is the formation of non-canonical DNA structures. Non-canonical or non-B DNA structures, including the four-stranded G-quadruplex or G4 DNA, are potentially pathological in that they interfere with replication or transcription, forming hotspots of genome instability. In this review, we first describe the role of Topoisomerase I in reducing the formation of non-canonical nucleic acid structures in the genome. We further discuss the interesting recent discovery that Top1 and Top1 mutants bind to G4 DNA structures in vivo and in vitro and speculate on the possible consequences of these interactions.

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