PCNA structure and function: insights from structures of PCNA complexes and post-translationally modified PCNA.
Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), the eukaryotic DNA sliding clamp, forms a ring-shaped homo-trimer that encircles double-stranded DNA. This protein is best known for its ability to confer high processivity to replicative DNA polymerases. However, it does far more than this, because it forms a mobile platform on the DNA that recruits many of the proteins involved in DNA replication, repair, and recombination to replication forks. X-ray crystal structures of PCNA bound to PCNA-binding proteins have provided insights into how PCNA recognizes its binding partners and recruits them to replication forks. More recently, X-ray crystal structures of ubiquitin-modified and SUMO-modified PCNA have provided insights into how these post-translational modifications alter the specificity of PCNA for some of its binding partners. This article focuses on the insights gained from structural studies of PCNA complexes and post-translationally modified PCNA.
Department of Biochemistry, University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, 52242-1109, USA.
Lynne M
LM
Dieckman
Bret D
BD
Freudenthal
M Todd
MT
Washington
D000818:Animals; D018360:Crystallography, X-Ray; D004261:DNA Replication / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020836:Protein Structure, Quaternary; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D025842:SUMO-1 Protein / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D058207:Sumoylation / Q000502:physiology*; D025801:Ubiquitin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen; D025842:SUMO-1 Protein; D025801:Ubiquitin