Summary information and primary citation

PDB-id
7c99; SNAP-derived features in text and JSON formats; DNAproDB
Class
recombination-DNA
Method
cryo-EM (3.36 Å)
Summary
Human dmc1 post-synaptic complexes with mismatched dsDNA
Reference
Luo SC, Yeh HY, Lan WH, Wu YM, Yang CH, Chang HY, Su GC, Lee CY, Wu WJ, Li HW, Ho MC, Chi P, Tsai MD (2021): "Identification of fidelity-governing factors in human recombinases DMC1 and RAD51 from cryo-EM structures." Nat Commun, 12, 115. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-20258-1.
Abstract
Both high-fidelity and mismatch-tolerant recombination, catalyzed by RAD51 and DMC1 recombinases, respectively, are indispensable for genomic integrity. Here, we use cryo-EM, MD simulation and functional analysis to elucidate the structural basis for the mismatch tolerance of DMC1. Structural analysis of DMC1 presynaptic and postsynaptic complexes suggested that the lineage-specific Loop 1 Gln244 (Met243 in RAD51) may help stabilize DNA backbone, whereas Loop 2 Pro274 and Gly275 (Val273/Asp274 in RAD51) may provide an open "triplet gate" for mismatch tolerance. In support, DMC1-Q244M displayed marked increase in DNA dynamics, leading to unobservable DNA map. MD simulation showed highly dispersive mismatched DNA ensemble in RAD51 but well-converged DNA in DMC1 and RAD51-V273P/D274G. Replacing Loop 1 or Loop 2 residues in DMC1 with RAD51 counterparts enhanced DMC1 fidelity, while reciprocal mutations in RAD51 attenuated its fidelity. Our results show that three Loop 1/Loop 2 residues jointly enact contrasting fidelities of DNA recombinases.

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