The AAA+ ClpX machine unfolds a keystone subunit to remodel the Mu transpososome.
A hyperstable complex of the tetrameric MuA transposase with recombined DNA must be remodeled to allow subsequent DNA replication. ClpX, a AAA+ enzyme, fulfills this function by unfolding one transpososome subunit. Which MuA subunit is extracted, and how complex destabilization relates to establishment of the correct directionality (left to right) of Mu replication, is not known. Here, using altered-specificity MuA proteins/DNA sites, we demonstrate that transpososome destabilization requires preferential ClpX unfolding of either the catalytic-left or catalytic-right subunits, which make extensive intersubunit contacts in the tetramer. In contrast, ClpX recognizes the other two subunits in the tetramer much less efficiently, and their extraction does not substantially destabilize the complex. Thus, ClpX targets the most stable structural components of the complex. Left-end biased Mu replication is not, however, determined by ClpX's intrinsic subunit preference. The specific targeting of a stabilizing "keystone subunit" within a complex for unfolding is an attractive general mechanism for remodeling by AAA+ enzymes.
Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
Aliaa H
AH
Abdelhakim
Robert T
RT
Sauer
Tania A
TA
Baker
D000074183:ATPases Associated with Diverse Cellular Activities; D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D001665:Binding Sites / Q000235:genetics; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D049071:Endopeptidase Clp / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D007700:Kinetics; D008958:Models, Molecular; D018832:Molecular Chaperones / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D009154:Mutation; D011485:Protein Binding; D017510:Protein Folding; D055503:Protein Multimerization; D020836:Protein Structure, Quaternary; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019895:Transposases / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; D018832:Molecular Chaperones; D021122:Protein Subunits; D004247:DNA; C114697:mu transposase; D019895:Transposases; D049071:Endopeptidase Clp; D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases; C088072:ClpX protein, E coli; D000074183:ATPases Associated with Diverse Cellular Activities