Recognition and processing of double-stranded DNA by ExoX, a distributive 3'-5' exonuclease.

ABSTRACT: Members of the DnaQ superfamily are major 3'-5' exonucleases that degrade either only single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) or both ssDNA and double-stranded DNA (dsDNA). However, the mechanism by which dsDNA is recognized and digested remains unclear. Exonuclease X (ExoX) is a distributive DnaQ exonuclease that cleaves both ssDNA and dsDNA substrates. Here, we report the crystal structures of Escherichia coli ExoX in complex with three different dsDNA substrates: 3' overhanging dsDNA, blunt-ended dsDNA and 3' recessed mismatch-containing dsDNA. In these structures, ExoX binds to dsDNA via both a conserved substrate strand-interacting site and a previously uncharacterized complementary strand-interacting motif. When ExoX complexes with blunt-ended dsDNA or 5' overhanging dsDNA, a 'wedge' composed of

SUBMITTER: Wang T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3753628 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature