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RecQ helicases are a widely conserved family of ATP-dependent motors with diverse roles in nearly every aspect of bacterial and eukaryotic genome maintenance. However, the physical mechanisms by which RecQ helicases recognize and process specific DNA replication and repair intermediates are largely unknown. Here, we solved crystal structures of the human RECQ1 helicase in complexes with tailed-duplex DNA and ssDNA. The structures map the interactions of the ssDNA tail and the branch point along the helicase and Zn-binding domains, which, together with reported structures of other helicases, define the catalytic stages of helicase action. We also identify a strand-separating pin, which (uniquely in RECQ1) is buttressed by the protein dimer interface. A duplex DNA-binding surface on the C-terminal domain is shown to play a role in DNA unwinding, strand annealing, and Holliday junction (HJ) branch migration. We have combined EM and analytical ultracentrifugation approaches to show that RECQ1 can form what appears to be a flat, homotetrameric complex and propose that RECQ1 tetramers are involved in HJ recognition. This tetrameric arrangement suggests a platform for coordinated activity at the advancing and receding duplexes of an HJ during branch migration.

Original publication

DOI

10.1073/pnas.1417594112

Type

Journal article

Journal

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A

Publication Date

07/04/2015

Volume

112

Pages

4286 - 4291

Keywords

DNA helicases, Holliday junction, RecQ, fork reversal, genome stability, Animals, Chromatography, Gel, Crystallization, Crystallography, X-Ray, DNA, DNA Helicases, DNA, Cruciform, DNA, Single-Stranded, Escherichia coli, Humans, Insecta, Molecular Conformation, Nucleic Acid Denaturation, Nucleotides, Protein Binding, Protein Structure, Tertiary, RecQ Helicases, Zinc