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NMR structural studies of mismatched DNA base pairs and their interaction with E. coli MutS protein

Cheung, Tony Chun Tung

[Thesis]. Manchester, UK: The University of Manchester; 2010.

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Abstract

Escherichia coli MutS is a DNA binding repair protein (97 kDa, monomer) and its biological significance arises from its recognition of mismatches which occur as errors during DNA replication. Mismatches and mutagenic bases represent a fascinating and diverse range of shapes and sizes and it is not obvious how a single protein (MutS) can recognise such molecular diversity against a huge background of canonical Watson-Crick base pairs. In this project, the structure of a 17mer mismatch GT DNA was carried out using NMR spectroscopy to identify the differences caused by the introduction of a non-canonical base pair on helical structure. The resulting structure was B-form in conformation and local helical distortions were observed about the GT mispair due primarily to its sheared orientation. The effect of mismatch orientation, sequence context and oligonucleotide length on mismatch stability was also investigated using UV absorbance melting and NMR spectroscopy. The results showed that substitution of a TG mispair for a GT mispair was accompanied by a small drop in melting temperature. It was also discovered that sequences in which purine-purine or pyrimidine-pyrimidine stacking occurred induced additional stability of the mismatch resulting in a higher melting temperature of the duplex.Affinity of mismatch GT DNA and its mismatch orientation, sequence context and length analogues for MutS was investigated by monitoring changes to the chemical shifts and linewidths of imino protons resonances during NMR titration. The results showed that MutS displayed higher affinity towards sequences which involved better stacking between the flanking base pairs and the GT/TG mispair.Analogous NMR structural investigations of 6-thioguanine modified 13mer GC DNA and its oxidised derivatives have been successfully carried out. The NMR structure was successfully determined of the former and the results obtained showed the effect on helical structure induced by the substitution of a different DNA lesion.Although the crystal structures of MutS bound to DNA mismatches have been known for a number of years, the analogous crystal structures of uncomplexed apo MutS have not been determined to date. Consequently, vital structural knowledge on the large change in conformation of MutS upon binding to the DNA mismatch is seriously lacking. We have successfully isolated the structurally and functionally important NTD of E. coli MutS and its labelled (13C, 15N) analogues and have shown that it is endowed with a stable, tertiary structural fold and well suited to NMR structure determination. This is exemplified by the assignments of several backbone amide and side chain resonances using isotope aided 3D NMR techniques.

Layman's Abstract

Escherichia coli MutS is a large protein which is able to recognise errors in DNAs called mismatches. These errors are responsible for various malignancies such as cancer and related diseases. In this project, the three-dimensional structure of a DNA molecule containing a base pair mismatch was carried out using an analytical technique called NMR spectroscopy and this was compared to DNA containing normal base pairs. The results clearly showed differences in the pattern of signals arising from mismatch base pairs when compared to normal base pairs. Addition of MutS protein showed selective interaction with the mismatch NMR signals. Thus, the project highlights a sensitive method of detecting base pairs and their analogues. This has strong implications in the field of biomedicine and the development of anti-cancer drugs.

Bibliographic metadata

Type of resource:
Content type:
Form of thesis:
Type of submission:
Degree type:
Doctor of Philosophy
Degree programme:
PhD Chemistry
Publication date:
Location:
Manchester, UK
Total pages:
433
Abstract:
Escherichia coli MutS is a DNA binding repair protein (97 kDa, monomer) and its biological significance arises from its recognition of mismatches which occur as errors during DNA replication. Mismatches and mutagenic bases represent a fascinating and diverse range of shapes and sizes and it is not obvious how a single protein (MutS) can recognise such molecular diversity against a huge background of canonical Watson-Crick base pairs. In this project, the structure of a 17mer mismatch GT DNA was carried out using NMR spectroscopy to identify the differences caused by the introduction of a non-canonical base pair on helical structure. The resulting structure was B-form in conformation and local helical distortions were observed about the GT mispair due primarily to its sheared orientation. The effect of mismatch orientation, sequence context and oligonucleotide length on mismatch stability was also investigated using UV absorbance melting and NMR spectroscopy. The results showed that substitution of a TG mispair for a GT mispair was accompanied by a small drop in melting temperature. It was also discovered that sequences in which purine-purine or pyrimidine-pyrimidine stacking occurred induced additional stability of the mismatch resulting in a higher melting temperature of the duplex.Affinity of mismatch GT DNA and its mismatch orientation, sequence context and length analogues for MutS was investigated by monitoring changes to the chemical shifts and linewidths of imino protons resonances during NMR titration. The results showed that MutS displayed higher affinity towards sequences which involved better stacking between the flanking base pairs and the GT/TG mispair.Analogous NMR structural investigations of 6-thioguanine modified 13mer GC DNA and its oxidised derivatives have been successfully carried out. The NMR structure was successfully determined of the former and the results obtained showed the effect on helical structure induced by the substitution of a different DNA lesion.Although the crystal structures of MutS bound to DNA mismatches have been known for a number of years, the analogous crystal structures of uncomplexed apo MutS have not been determined to date. Consequently, vital structural knowledge on the large change in conformation of MutS upon binding to the DNA mismatch is seriously lacking. We have successfully isolated the structurally and functionally important NTD of E. coli MutS and its labelled (13C, 15N) analogues and have shown that it is endowed with a stable, tertiary structural fold and well suited to NMR structure determination. This is exemplified by the assignments of several backbone amide and side chain resonances using isotope aided 3D NMR techniques.
Layman's abstract:
Escherichia coli MutS is a large protein which is able to recognise errors in DNAs called mismatches. These errors are responsible for various malignancies such as cancer and related diseases. In this project, the three-dimensional structure of a DNA molecule containing a base pair mismatch was carried out using an analytical technique called NMR spectroscopy and this was compared to DNA containing normal base pairs. The results clearly showed differences in the pattern of signals arising from mismatch base pairs when compared to normal base pairs. Addition of MutS protein showed selective interaction with the mismatch NMR signals. Thus, the project highlights a sensitive method of detecting base pairs and their analogues. This has strong implications in the field of biomedicine and the development of anti-cancer drugs.
Thesis main supervisor(s):
Language:
en

Institutional metadata

University researcher(s):

Record metadata

Manchester eScholar ID:
uk-ac-man-scw:96479
Created by:
Cheung, Tony
Created:
29th November, 2010, 14:05:03
Last modified by:
Cheung, Tony
Last modified:
7th April, 2011, 10:58:38

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