title: The crystal structure of DNA mismatch repair protein MutS binding to a G x T mismatch.
abstract: DNA mismatch repair ensures genomic integrity on DNA replication. Recognition of a DNA mismatch by a dimeric MutS protein initiates a cascade of reactions and results in repair of the newly synthesized strand; however, details of the molecular mechanism remain controversial. Here we present the crystal structure at 2.2 A of MutS from Escherichia coli bound to a G x T mismatch. The two MutS monomers have different conformations and form a heterodimer at the structural level. Only one monomer recognizes the mismatch specifically and has ADP bound. Mismatch recognition occurs by extensive minor groove interactions causing unusual base pairing and kinking of the DNA. Nonspecific major groove DNA-binding domains from both monomers embrace the DNA in a clamp-like structure. The interleaved nucleotide-binding sites are located far from the DNA. Mutations in human MutS alpha (MSH2/MSH6) that lead to hereditary predisposition for cancer, such as hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer, can be mapped to this crystal structure.
authors.affiliation: Division of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam.
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Lamers
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Perrakis
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Enzlin
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Winterwerp
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: de Wind
authors.forename: T K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Sixma
mesh_terms: D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases / Q000378:metabolism; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D020137:Base Pair Mismatch; D001665:Binding Sites; D003123:Colorectal Neoplasms, Hereditary Nonpolyposis / Q000235:genetics; D018360:Crystallography, X-Ray; D004260:DNA Repair; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D019281:Dimerization; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; D006147:Guanine / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006868:Hydrolysis; D008958:Models, Molecular; D051719:MutS DNA Mismatch-Binding Protein; D051718:MutS Homolog 2 Protein; D009154:Mutation; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D011487:Protein Conformation; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D013941:Thymine / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D006147:Guanine; D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases; C497172:MSH2 protein, human; D051719:MutS DNA Mismatch-Binding Protein; D051718:MutS Homolog 2 Protein; C497175:MutS protein, E coli; D013941:Thymine