Structures of Escherichia coli DNA mismatch repair enzyme MutS in complex with different mismatches: a common recognition mode for diverse substrates

Nucleic Acids Res. 2003 Aug 15;31(16):4814-21. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkg677.

Abstract

We have refined a series of isomorphous crystal structures of the Escherichia coli DNA mismatch repair enzyme MutS in complex with G:T, A:A, C:A and G:G mismatches and also with a single unpaired thymidine. In all these structures, the DNA is kinked by approximately 60 degrees upon protein binding. Two residues widely conserved in the MutS family are involved in mismatch recognition. The phenylalanine, Phe 36, is seen stacking on one of the mismatched bases. The same base is also seen forming a hydrogen bond to the glutamate Glu 38. This hydrogen bond involves the N7 if the base stacking on Phe 36 is a purine and the N3 if it is a pyrimidine (thymine). Thus, MutS uses a common binding mode to recognize a wide range of mismatches.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Triphosphatases / chemistry*
  • Adenosine Triphosphatases / metabolism
  • Bacterial Proteins / chemistry*
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • Base Pair Mismatch*
  • Binding Sites
  • DNA / chemistry*
  • DNA / genetics
  • DNA / metabolism
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / chemistry*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Escherichia coli / enzymology
  • Escherichia coli Proteins
  • Glutamic Acid / chemistry
  • Glutamic Acid / metabolism
  • Hydrogen Bonding
  • Models, Molecular
  • MutS DNA Mismatch-Binding Protein
  • Phenylalanine / chemistry
  • Phenylalanine / metabolism
  • Protein Conformation
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Substrate Specificity

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Escherichia coli Proteins
  • Glutamic Acid
  • Phenylalanine
  • DNA
  • Adenosine Triphosphatases
  • MutS DNA Mismatch-Binding Protein
  • MutS protein, E coli

Associated data

  • PDB/1OH5
  • PDB/1OH6
  • PDB/1OH7
  • PDB/1OH8