SNAP output for PDB entry 6r8z [SNAP web server]

PDB-id

6r8z; SNAP-derived features in text and JSON formats; DNAproDB

Class

DNA binding protein

Method

cryo-EM (3.9 Å)

Summary

cryo-EM structure of ncp_thf2(-1)-uv-ddb

Reference

Matsumoto S, Cavadini S, Bunker RD, Grand RS, Potenza A, Rabl J, Yamamoto J, Schenk AD, Schubeler D, Iwai S, Sugasawa K, Kurumizaka H, Thoma NH (2019): "DNA damage detection in nucleosomes involves DNA register shifting." Nature, 571, 79-84. doi: 10.1038/s41586-019-1259-3.

Abstract

Access to DNA packaged in nucleosomes is critical for gene regulation, DNA replication and DNA repair. In humans, the UV-damaged DNA-binding protein (UV-DDB) complex detects UV-light-induced pyrimidine dimers throughout the genome; however, it remains unknown how these lesions are recognized in chromatin, in which nucleosomes restrict access to DNA. Here we report cryo-electron microscopy structures of UV-DDB bound to nucleosomes bearing a 6-4 pyrimidine-pyrimidone dimer or a DNA-damage mimic in various positions. We find that UV-DDB binds UV-damaged nucleosomes at lesions located in the solvent-facing minor groove without affecting the overall nucleosome architecture. In the case of buried lesions that face the histone core, UV-DDB changes the predominant translational register of the nucleosome and selectively binds the lesion in an accessible, exposed position. Our findings explain how UV-DDB detects occluded lesions in strongly positioned nucleosomes, and identify slide-assisted site exposure as a mechanism by which high-affinity DNA-binding proteins can access otherwise occluded sites in nucleosomal DNA.