Mechanistic study of classical translocation-dead SpoIIIE36 reveals the functional importance of the hinge within the SpoIIIE motor.

ABSTRACT: SpoIIIE/FtsK ATPases are central players in bacterial chromosome segregation. It remains unclear how these DNA translocases harness chemical energy (ATP turnover) to perform mechanical work (DNA movement). Bacillus subtilis sporulation provides a dramatic example of intercompartmental DNA transport, in which SpoIIIE moves 70% of the chromosome across the division plane. To understand the mechanistic requirements for DNA translocation, we investigated the DNA translocation defect of a classical nontranslocating allele, spoIIIE36. We found that the translocation phenotype is caused by a single substitution, a change of valine to methionine at position 429 (V429M), within the motor of SpoIIIE. This substitution is located at the base of a hinge between the RecA-like β domain and the α domain,

SUBMITTER: Besprozvannaya M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4054170 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature