title: A novel human hexameric DNA helicase: expression, purification and characterization.
abstract: We have cloned, expressed and purified a hexameric human DNA helicase (hHcsA) from HeLa cells. Sequence analysis demonstrated that the hHcsA has strong sequence homology with DNA helicase genes from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Caenorhabditis elegans, indicating that this gene appears to be well conserved from yeast to human. The hHcsA gene was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity. The expressed protein had a subunit molecular mass of 116 kDa and analysis of its native molecular mass by size exclusion chromatography suggested that hHcsA is a hexameric protein. The hHcsA protein had a strong DNA-dependent ATPase activity that was stimulated >/=5-fold by single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). Human hHcsA unwinds duplex DNA and analysis of the polarity of translocation demonstrated that the polarity of DNA unwinding was in a 5'-->3' direction. The helicase activity was stimulated by human and yeast replication protein A, but not significantly by E.coli ssDNA-binding protein. We have analyzed expression levels of the hHcsA gene in HeLa cells during various phases of the cell cycle using in situ hybridization analysis. Our results indicated that the expression of the hHcsA gene, as evidenced from the mRNA levels, is cell cycle-dependent. The maximal level of hHcsA expression was observed in late G(1)/early S phase, suggesting a possible role for this protein during S phase and in DNA synthesis.
authors: Department of Molecular Biology, School of Osteopathic Medicine and Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Science Center Room 305 A, 2 Medical Center Drive, Stratford, NJ 08084, USA.
authors: E E
authors: EE
authors: Biswas
authors: R G
authors: RG
authors: Nagele
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Biswas
mesh_terms: D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D002453:Cell Cycle; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D017124:Conserved Sequence; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004265:DNA Helicases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D008970:Molecular Weight; D016366:Open Reading Frames / Q000235:genetics; D020836:Protein Structure, Quaternary; D021122:Protein Subunits; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D051716:Replication Protein A; D016415:Sequence Alignment
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D021122:Protein Subunits; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C497167:RPA1 protein, human; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D051716:Replication Protein A; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D004247:DNA; D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases; D004265:DNA Helicases