SNAP output for PDB entry 4a15 [SNAP web server]

PDB-id

4a15; SNAP-derived features in text and JSON formats; DNAproDB

Class

hydrolase

Method

X-ray (2.2 Å)

Summary

Crystal structure of an xpd DNA complex

Reference

Kuper J, Wolski SC, Michels G, Kisker C (2011): "Functional and Structural Studies of the Nucleotide Excision Repair Helicase Xpd Suggest a Polarity for DNA Translocation." Embo J., 31, 494. doi: 10.1038/EMBOJ.2011.374.

Abstract

The XPD protein is a vital subunit of the general transcription factor TFIIH which is not only involved in transcription but is also an essential component of the eukaryotic nucleotide excision DNA repair (NER) pathway. XPD is a superfamily-2 5'-3' helicase containing an iron-sulphur cluster. Its helicase activity is indispensable for NER and it plays a role in the damage verification process. Here, we report the first structure of XPD from Thermoplasma acidophilum (taXPD) in complex with a short DNA fragment, thus revealing the polarity of the translocated strand and providing insights into how the enzyme achieves its 5'-3' directionality. Accompanied by a detailed mutational and biochemical analysis of taXPD, we define the path of the translocated DNA strand through the protein and identify amino acids that are critical for protein function.