Molecular characteristics of reiterative DNA unwinding by the Caenorhabditis elegans RecQ helicase.

ABSTRACT: The RecQ family of helicases is highly conserved both structurally and functionally from bacteria to humans. Defects in human RecQ helicases are associated with genetic diseases that are characterized by cancer predisposition and/or premature aging. RecQ proteins exhibit 3'-5' helicase activity and play critical roles in genome maintenance. Recent advances in single-molecule techniques have revealed the reiterative unwinding behavior of RecQ helicases. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in this process remain unclear, with contradicting reports. Here, we characterized the unwinding dynamics of the Caenorhabditis elegans RecQ helicase HIM-6 using single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer measurements. We found that HIM-6 exhibits reiterative DNA unwinding and the length

SUBMITTER: Choi S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6765134 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature