title: Analysis of the XPA and ssDNA-binding surfaces on the central domain of human ERCC1 reveals evidence for subfunctionalization.
abstract: Human ERCC1/XPF is a structure-specific endonuclease involved in multiple DNA repair pathways. We present the solution structure of the non-catalytic ERCC1 central domain. Although this domain shows structural homology with the catalytically active XPF nuclease domain, functional investigation reveals a completely distinct function for the ERCC1 central domain by performing interactions with both XPA and single-stranded DNA. These interactions are non-competitive and can occur simultaneously through distinct interaction surfaces. Interestingly, the XPA binding by ERCC1 and the catalytic function of XPF are dependent on a structurally homologous region of the two proteins. Although these regions are strictly conserved in each protein family, amino acid composition and surface characteristics are distinct. We discuss the possibility that after XPF gene duplication, the redundant ERCC1 central domain acquired novel functions, thereby increasing the fidelity of eukaryotic DNA repair.
authors.affiliation: Department of NMR spectroscopy, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tripsianes
authors.forename: Gert E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Folkers
authors.forename: Chao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Devashish
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Das
authors.forename: Jeffrey S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Grinstead
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kaptein
authors.forename: Rolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Boelens
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001665:Binding Sites; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D019281:Dimerization; D004720:Endonucleases / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D019906:Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular; D011485:Protein Binding; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D051760:Xeroderma Pigmentosum Group A Protein / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C497314:XPA protein, human; D051760:Xeroderma Pigmentosum Group A Protein; C095888:xeroderma pigmentosum group F protein; C071447:ERCC1 protein, human; D004720:Endonucleases