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PMID: 19949442 Published · ppublish English Journal Article

RecQ helicases: multiple structures for multiple functions?

HFSP journal ·Vol. 3 ·No. 3 ·2009-06-00 ·Pages 153-64

Vindigni A, Hickson ID

Abstract

Approximately 1% of the open reading frames in the human genome encode proteins that function as DNA or RNA helicases. These enzymes act in all aspects of nucleic acid metabolism where the complementary strands of DNA:DNA or DNA:RNA duplexes require to be transiently opened. However, they perform wider roles in nucleic acid metabolism due to their ability to couple the energy derived from hydrolysis of ATP to their unidirectional translocation along strands of DNARNA. In this way, helicases can displace proteins from DNARNA, drive the migration of DNA junctions (such as the Holliday junction recombination intermediate), or generate superhelical tension in nucleic acid duplexes. Here, we review a subgroup of DNA helicase enzymes, the RecQ family, that has attracted considerable interest in recent years due to their role not only in suppression of genome instability, but also in the avoidance of human disease. We focus particularly on the protein structural motifs and the multiple assembly states that characterize RecQ helicases and discuss novel biophysical techniques to study the different RecQ structures present in solution. We also speculate on the roles of the different domains and oligomeric forms in defining which DNA structures will represent substrates for RecQ helicase-mediated transactions.

Authors & Affiliations
2 authors, click to expand affiliations / ORCID
Vindigni Alessandro
Hickson Ian D
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Article Info
Journal
HFSP journal
Abbr.
HFSP J
ISSN
1955-2068
DOI
10.2976/1.3079540
Published
2009-06-00
Epub
2009-00-18
Pages
153-64
Language
English
Region
France
NLM ID
101299182
PMCID
PMC2714954
External Links
PubMed source DOI: 10.2976/1.3079540 PMC Full Text View journal details
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