A dynamic model for replication protein A (RPA) function in DNA processing pathways.
Processing of DNA in replication, repair and recombination pathways in cells of all organisms requires the participation of at least one major single-stranded DNA (ssDNA)-binding protein. This protein protects ssDNA from nucleolytic damage, prevents hairpin formation and blocks DNA reannealing until the processing pathway is successfully completed. Many ssDNA-binding proteins interact physically and functionally with a variety of other DNA processing proteins. These interactions are thought to temporally order and guide the parade of proteins that 'trade places' on the ssDNA, a model known as 'hand-off', as the processing pathway progresses. How this hand-off mechanism works remains poorly understood. Recent studies of the conserved eukaryotic ssDNA-binding protein replication protein A (RPA) suggest a novel mechanism by which proteins may trade places on ssDNA by binding to RPA and mediating conformation changes that alter the ssDNA-binding properties of RPA. This article reviews the structure and function of RPA, summarizes recent studies of RPA in DNA replication and other DNA processing pathways, and proposes a general model for the role of RPA in protein-mediated hand-off.
Fanning
Ellen
E
Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, VU Station B 351634, Nashville, TN 37235-1634, USA. ellen.fanning@vanderbilt.edu
Klimovich
Vitaly
V
Nager
Andrew R
AR
D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D004261:DNA Replication / Q000502:physiology*; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded / Q000378:metabolism; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D011487:Protein Conformation; D051716:Replication Protein A / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000235:genetics*
D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D051716:Replication Protein A; D004247:DNA