title: Electron nuclear double resonance differentiates complementary roles for active site histidines in (6-4) photolyase.
abstract: (6-4) photolyase catalyzes the light-dependent repair of UV-damaged DNA containing (6-4) photoproducts. Blue light excitation of the enzyme generates the neutral FAD radical, FADH., which is believed to be transiently formed during the enzymatic DNA repair. Here (6-4) photolyase has been examined by optical spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance, and pulsed electron nuclear double resonance spectroscopy. Characterization of selected proton hyperfine couplings of FADH., namely those of H(8alpha) and H(1'), yields information on the micropolarity at the site where the DNA substrate is expected to bind. Shifts in the hyperfine couplings as a function of structural modifications induced by point mutations and pH changes distinguish the protonation states of two highly conserved histidines, His(354) and His(358), in Xenopus laevis (6-4) photolyase. These are proposed to catalyze formation of the oxetane intermediate that precedes light-initiated DNA repair. The results show that at pH 9.5, where the enzymatic repair activity is highest, His(358) is deprotonated, whereas His(354) is protonated. Hence, the latter is likely the proton donor that initiates oxetane formation from the (6-4) photoproduct.
authors.affiliation: Fachbereich Physik, Freie Universität Berlin, Arnimallee 14, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schleicher
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology and the Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037.
authors.forename: Kenichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hitomi
authors.affiliation: Fachbereich Physik, Freie Universität Berlin, Arnimallee 14, 14195 Berlin, Germany; Department of Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom, and the.
authors.forename: Christopher W M
authors.initials: CWM
authors.lastname: Kay
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology and the Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037.
authors.forename: Elizabeth D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Getzoff
authors.affiliation: Radiation Biology Center, Kyoto University, Yoshidakonoe-cho, Sakyoku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Todo
authors.affiliation: Fachbereich Physik, Freie Universität Berlin, Arnimallee 14, 14195 Berlin, Germany. Electronic address: Stefan.Weber@physik.fu-berlin.de.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Weber
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000528:radiation effects; D004260:DNA Repair / Q000528:radiation effects; D004255:Deoxyribodipyrimidine Photo-Lyase / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004578:Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy; D004988:Ethers, Cyclic / Q000737:chemistry*; D005182:Flavin-Adenine Dinucleotide / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006639:Histidine / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007700:Kinetics; D008956:Models, Chemical; D017354:Point Mutation; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014982:Xenopus laevis
chemical_list: D004988:Ethers, Cyclic; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D005182:Flavin-Adenine Dinucleotide; D006639:Histidine; D004255:Deoxyribodipyrimidine Photo-Lyase; C005287:oxetane