Abstract
T5 5′-3′ exonuclease is a member of a homologous group of 5′ nucleases which require divalent metal co-factors. Structural and biochemical studies suggest that single-stranded DNA substrates thread through a helical arch or hole in the protein, thus bringing the phosphodiester backbone into close proximity with the active site metal co-factors. In addition to the expected use of Mg2+, Mn2+ and Co2+ as co-factors, we found that divalent zinc, iron, nickel and copper ions also supported catalysis. Such a range of co-factor utilisation is unusual in a single enzyme. Some co-factors such as Mn2+ stimulated the cleavage of double-stranded closed-circular plasmid DNA. Such endonucleolytic cleavage of circular double-stranded DNA cannot be readily explained by the threading model proposed for the cleavage of substrates with free 5′-ends as the hole observed in the crystal structure of T5 exonuclease is too small to permit the passage of double-stranded DNA. We suggest that such a substrate may gain access to the active site of the enzyme by a process which does not involve threading.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 2772-2779 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Nucleic acids research |
Volume | 29 |
Issue number | 13 |
State | Published - Jul 1 2001 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Genetics