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Zawadzki, P.

Publications and source records attributed to Zawadzki, P..

2 recordsLinked to original sources

Single-particle tracking of Nucleotide Excision Repair proteins inside living bacteria

Single-particle tracking (SPT) combined with Photoactivated Localization Microscopy (sptPALM) provides an opportunity to perform complex molecular biology experiments inside living cells. By tracking the motion of DNA repair proteins in vivo, information can be extracted not only about their diffusion, but also about the kinetics and spatial distribution of DNA binding1-3. From a methodological point of view, a Total Internal Reflection Microscope equipped with a sensitive detector (usually an EM-CCD camera4) is commonly used, allowing detection of individual fluorophores. The signal from individual emitters can be analysed and the position of a given fluorophore established with high accuracy (up to a single nm) by Gaussian fitting. To determine the mobility of each fluorophore, the positions of individual molecules are linked into trajectories over multiple frames using a tracking algorithm5.

biophysics

Asymmetric MukB ATPases are regulated independently by the N- and C-terminal domains of MukF kleisin

The Escherichia coli SMC complex, MukBEF, acts in chromosome segregation. MukBEF shares the distinctive architecture of other SMC complexes, with one prominent difference; unlike other kleisins, MukF forms dimers through its N-terminal domain. We show that a 4-helix bundle adjacent to the MukF dimerization domain interacts functionally with the MukB coiled-coiled neck adjacent to the ATPase head, forming an asymmetric tripartite complex, as in other SMC complexes. Since MukF dimerization is preserved during this interaction, MukF directs the formation of dimer of dimers MukBEF complexes, observed previously in vivo. The MukF N- and C-terminal domains stimulate ATPase independently and additively, consistent with them each targeting only one of the two MukB ATPase active sites in the asymmetric complex. We demonstrate that MukF interaction with the MukB neck turns over during cycles of ATP binding and hydrolysis in vivo and that impairment of this interaction leads to MukBEF release from chromosomes.

biochemistry