Biology subjects

Kokic, G.

Publications and source records attributed to Kokic, G..

6 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2024

STK19 facilitates the clearance of lesion-stalled RNAPII during transcription-coupled DNA repair

Transcription-coupled DNA repair (TCR) removes bulky DNA lesions impeding RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) transcription. Recent studies have outlined the stepwise assembly of TCR factors CSB, CSA, UVSSA, and TFIIH around lesion-stalled RNAPII. However, the mechanism and factors required for the transition to downstream repair steps, including RNAPII removal to provide repair proteins access to the DNA lesion, remain unclear. Here, we identify STK19 as a new TCR factor facilitating this transition. Loss of STK19 does not impact initial TCR complex assembly or RNAPII ubiquitylation but delays lesion-stalled RNAPII clearance, thereby interfering with the downstream repair reaction. Cryo-EM and mutational analysis reveal that STK19 associates with the TCR complex, positioning itself between RNAPII, UVSSA, and CSA. The structural insights and molecular modeling suggest that STK19 positions the ATPase subunits of TFIIH onto DNA in front of RNAPII. Together, these findings provide new insights into the factors and mechanisms required for TCR.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2021

Dimeric form of SARS-CoV-2 polymerase

The coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 uses an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) to replicate and transcribe its genome. Structures of the RdRp revealed a monomeric enzyme composed of the catalytic subunit nsp12, two copies of subunit nsp8, and one copy of subunit nsp7. Here we report an alternative, dimeric form of the coronavirus polymerase and resolve its structure at 4.8 [A] resolution. In this structure, the two RdRps contain only one copy of nsp8 and dimerize via their nsp7 subunits to adopt an antiparallel arrangement. We speculate that the RdRp dimer facilitates template switching during production of sub-genomic RNAs for transcription.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2020

Mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 polymerase inhibition by remdesivir

Remdesivir is the only FDA-approved drug for the treatment of COVID-19 patients1-4. The active form of remdesivir acts as a nucleoside analogue and inhibits the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) of coronaviruses including SARS-CoV-25-7. Remdesivir is incorporated by the RdRp into the growing RNA product and allows for addition of three more nucleotides before RNA synthesis stalls6,8. Here we use synthetic RNA chemistry, biochemistry and cryo-electron microscopy to establish the molecular mechanism of remdesivir-induced RdRp stalling. We show that addition of the fourth nucleotide following remdesivir incorporation into the RNA product is impaired by a barrier to further RNA translocation. This translocation barrier causes retention of the RNA 3-nucleotide in the substrate-binding site of the RdRp and interferes with entry of the next nucleoside triphosphate, thereby stalling RdRp. In the structure of the remdesivir-stalled state, the 3-nucleotide of the RNA product is matched with the template base, and this may prevent proofreading by the viral 3-exonuclease that recognizes mismatches9,10. These mechanistic insights should facilitate the quest for improved antivirals that target coronavirus replication.

biochemistry↗

bioRxiv2020

Structure of replicating SARS-CoV-2 polymerase

The coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 uses an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) for the replication of its genome and the transcription of its genes. Here we present the cryo-electron microscopic structure of the SARS-CoV-2 RdRp in its replicating form. The structure comprises the viral proteins nsp12, nsp8, and nsp7, and over two turns of RNA template-product duplex. The active site cleft of nsp12 binds the first turn of RNA and mediates RdRp activity with conserved residues. Two copies of nsp8 bind to opposite sides of the cleft and position the RNA duplex as it exits. Long helical extensions in nsp8 protrude along exiting RNA, forming positively charged sliding poles that may enable processive replication of the long coronavirus genome. Our results will allow for a detailed analysis of the inhibitory mechanisms used by antivirals such as remdesivir, which is currently in clinical trials for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

biophysics↗

bioRxiv2019

Structural basis of TFIIH activation for nucleotide excision repair

Genomes are constantly threatened by DNA damage, but cells can remove a large variety of DNA lesions by nucleotide excision repair (NER)1. Mutations in NER factors compromise cellular fitness and cause human diseases such as Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), Cockayne syndrome and trichothiodystrophy2,3. The NER machinery is built around the multisubunit transcription factor IIH (TFIIH), which opens the DNA repair bubble, scans for the lesion, and coordinates excision of the damaged DNA single strand fragment1,4. TFIIH consists of a kinase module and a core module that contains the ATPases XPB and XPD5. Here we prepare recombinant human TFIIH and show that XPB and XPD are stimulated by the additional NER factors XPA and XPG, respectively. We then determine the cryo-electron microscopy structure of the human core TFIIH-XPA-DNA complex at 3.6 [A] resolution. The structure represents the lesion-scanning intermediate on the NER pathway and rationalizes the distinct phenotypes of disease mutations. It reveals that XPB and XPD bind double- and single-stranded DNA, respectively, consistent with their translocase and helicase activities. XPA forms a bridge between XPB and XPD, and retains the DNA at the 5-edge of the repair bubble. Biochemical data and comparisons with prior structures6,7 explain how XPA and XPG can switch TFIIH from a transcription factor to a DNA repair factor. During transcription, the kinase module inhibits the repair helicase XPD8. For DNA repair, XPA dramatically rearranges the core TFIIH structure, which reorients the ATPases, releases the kinase module and displaces a plug element from the DNA-binding pore in XPD. This enables XPD to move by ~80 [A], engage with DNA, and scan for the lesion in a XPG-stimulated manner. Our results provide the basis for a detailed mechanistic analysis of the NER mechanism.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2018

RNA polymerase II clustering through CTD phase separation

The carboxy-terminal domain (CTD) of RNA polymerase (Pol) II is an intrinsically disordered low-complexity region that is critical for pre-mRNA transcription and processing. The CTD consists of hepta-amino acid repeats varying in number from 52 in humans to 26 in yeast. Here we report that human and yeast CTDs undergo cooperative liquid phase separation at increasing protein concentration, with the shorter yeast CTD forming less stable droplets. In human cells, truncation of the CTD to the length of the yeast CTD decreases Pol II clustering and chromatin association whereas CTD extension has the opposite effect. CTD droplets can incorporate intact Pol II and are dissolved by CTD phosphorylation with the transcription initiation factor IIH kinase CDK7. Together with published data, our results suggest that Pol II forms clusters/hubs at active genes through interactions between CTDs and with activators, and that CTD phosphorylation liberates Pol II enzymes from hubs for promoter escape and transcription elongation.

molecular biology↗