Supercoils in human DNA

1975 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 261-279
Author(s):  
P.R. Cook ◽  
I.A. Brazell
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Rays ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
Hydrodynamic Properties ◽  
Dna Molecule ◽  
Double Stranded Dna ◽  
Human Dna ◽  
Nuclear Structures ◽  
Intercalating Agents ◽  
Characteristic Manner

The three-dimensional structure of a double-stranded DNA molecule may be described by distinguishing the helical turns of the DNA duplex from any superhelical turns that might be superimposed upon the duplex turns. There are characteristic changes in the hydrodynamic properties of superhelical DNA molecules when they interact with intercalating agents. The hydrodynamic properties of nuclear structures released by gently lysing human cells are changed by intercalating agents in this characteristic manner. The characteristic changes are abolished by irradiating the cells with gamma-rays but may be restored by incubating the cells at 37 degrees C after irradiation. These results are interpreted as showing that human DNA is supercoiled. A model for the structure of the chromosome is suggested.

scholarly journals High-Resolution Structure of the Nuclease Domain of the Human Parvovirus B19 Main Replication Protein NS1

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy Horton ◽  
Jonathan L Sanchez ◽  
Niloofar Ghadirian
Keyword(s):  
Dna Cleavage ◽  
Parvovirus B19 ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Replication Protein ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
Sequence Variant ◽  
Human Parvovirus B19 ◽  
Origin Of Replication ◽  
Viral Origin ◽  
Double Stranded Dna

Two new structures of the N-terminal domain of the main replication protein, NS1, of Human Parvovirus B19 (B19V) are presented. This domain (NS1-nuc) plays an important role in the “rolling hairpin” replication of the single-stranded B19V DNA genome, recognizing origin of replication sequences in double-stranded DNA, and cleaving (i.e. nicking) single-stranded DNA at a nearby site known as the trs. One structure of NS1-nuc is solved to 2.4 Å and shows the positions of two bound phosphate ions. A second structure shows the position of a single divalent cation in the DNA nicking active site. The three-dimensional structure of NS1-nuc is well conserved between the two forms, as well as with a previously solved structure of a sequence variant of the same domain, however shown here at significantly higher resolution. Using structures of NS1-nuc homologues bound to single- and double-stranded DNA, models for DNA recognition and nicking by B19V NS1-nuc are presented which predict residues important for DNA cleavage and for sequence specific recognition at the viral origin of replication.

scholarly journals Topoisomerase I (TOP1) dynamics: conformational transition from open to closed states

2022 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Diane T. Takahashi ◽  
Danièle Gadelle ◽  
Keli Agama ◽  
Evgeny Kiselev ◽  
Hongliang Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Topoisomerase I ◽  
Conformational Transition ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
Directed Mutagenesis ◽  
Torsional Stress ◽  
Enzyme Dynamics ◽  
Dna Molecule ◽  
Closed Conformation ◽  
Open Conformation

AbstractEukaryotic topoisomerases I (TOP1) are ubiquitous enzymes removing DNA torsional stress. However, there is little data concerning the three-dimensional structure of TOP1 in the absence of DNA, nor how the DNA molecule can enter/exit its closed conformation. Here, we solved the structure of thermostable archaeal Caldiarchaeum subterraneum CsTOP1 in an apo-form. The enzyme displays an open conformation resulting from one substantial rotation between the capping (CAP) and the catalytic (CAT) modules. The junction between these two modules is a five-residue loop, the hinge, whose flexibility permits the opening/closing of the enzyme and the entry of DNA. We identified a highly conserved tyrosine near the hinge as mediating the transition from the open to closed conformation upon DNA binding. Directed mutagenesis confirmed the importance of the hinge flexibility, and linked the enzyme dynamics with sensitivity to camptothecin, a TOP1 inhibitor targeting the TOP1 enzyme catalytic site in the closed conformation.

scholarly journals Three-Dimensional Structure of the Human DNA-PKcs/Ku70/Ku80 Complex Assembled on DNA and Its Implications for DNA DSB Repair

2006 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 511-519 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Spagnolo ◽  
Angel Rivera-Calzada ◽  
Laurence H. Pearl ◽  
Oscar Llorca
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
Dsb Repair ◽  
Three Dimensional Structure ◽  
Human Dna

Conformation of Ribosomes from Escherichia Coli

1974 ◽  
Vol 32 ◽  
pp. 210-211
Author(s):  
M. Boublik ◽  
W. Hellmann ◽  
F. Jenkins
Keyword(s):  
Binding Sites ◽  
Ribosomal Proteins ◽  
Fluorescent Dyes ◽  
Protein Biosynthesis ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Spatial Arrangement ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
Complete Understanding ◽  
And Function

The present knowledge of the three-dimensional structure of ribosomes is far too limited to enable a complete understanding of the various roles which ribosomes play in protein biosynthesis. The spatial arrangement of proteins and ribonuclec acids in ribosomes can be analysed in many ways. Determination of binding sites for individual proteins on ribonuclec acid and locations of the mutual positions of proteins on the ribosome using labeling with fluorescent dyes, cross-linking reagents, neutron-diffraction or antibodies against ribosomal proteins seem to be most successful approaches. Structure and function of ribosomes can be correlated be depleting the complete ribosomes of some proteins to the functionally inactive core and by subsequent partial reconstitution in order to regain active ribosomal particles.

Three-Dimensional Reconstruction Using Stereo Pairs from Serial Thick Sections

1977 ◽  
Vol 35 ◽  
pp. 562-563
Author(s):  
Robert Glaeser ◽  
Thomas Bauer ◽  
David Grano
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
Serial Sections ◽  
Thin Sections ◽  
3 Dimensional ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Freeze Dried ◽  
Dimensional Reconstruction ◽  
Stereo Imagery ◽  
Whole Mounts

In transmission electron microscopy, the 3-dimensional structure of an object is usually obtained in one of two ways. For objects which can be included in one specimen, as for example with elements included in freeze- dried whole mounts and examined with a high voltage microscope, stereo pairs can be obtained which exhibit the 3-D structure of the element. For objects which can not be included in one specimen, the 3-D shape is obtained by reconstruction from serial sections. However, without stereo imagery, only detail which remains constant within the thickness of the section can be used in the reconstruction; consequently, the choice is between a low resolution reconstruction using a few thick sections and a better resolution reconstruction using many thin sections, generally a tedious chore. This paper describes an approach to 3-D reconstruction which uses stereo images of serial thick sections to reconstruct an object including detail which changes within the depth of an individual thick section.

Electron Microscopy of Cytoplasmic Contractile Proteins

1978 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 606-614 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.D. Pollard ◽  
P. Maupin
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Uranyl Acetate ◽  
Contractile Proteins ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Cytoplasmic Matrix ◽  
Computer Image Processing ◽  
Nonmuscle Cells

In this paper we review some of the contributions that electron microscopy has made to the analysis of actin and myosin from nonmuscle cells. We place particular emphasis upon the limitations of the ultrastructural techniques used to study these cytoplasmic contractile proteins, because it is not widely recognized how difficult it is to preserve these elements of the cytoplasmic matrix for electron microscopy. The structure of actin filaments is well preserved for electron microscope observation by negative staining with uranyl acetate (Figure 1). In fact, to a resolution of about 3nm the three-dimensional structure of actin filaments determined by computer image processing of electron micrographs of negatively stained specimens (Moore et al., 1970) is indistinguishable from the structure revealed by X-ray diffraction of living muscle.

A New 1000kv Electron Microscope

1969 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
pp. 100-101
Author(s):  
J.L. Williams ◽  
K. Heathcote ◽  
E.J. Greer
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscope ◽  
Direct Observation ◽  
High Voltage ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
Specimen Thickness ◽  
Voltage Electron ◽  
High Voltage Electron Microscope ◽  
Dynamic Experiments ◽  
Conventional Instrument

High Voltage Electron Microscope already offers exciting experimental possibilities to Biologists and Materials Scientists because the increased specimen thickness allows direct observation of three dimensional structure and dynamic experiments on effectively bulk specimens. This microscope is designed to give maximum accessibility and space in the specimen region for the special stages which are required. At the same time it provides an ease of operation similar to a conventional instrument.

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