Summary The MR (Mre11 nuclease and Rad50 ABC ATPase) complex is an evolutionarily conserved sensor for DNA double-strand breaks, highly genotoxic lesions linked to cancer development. MR can recognize and process DNA ends even if they are blocked and misfolded. To reveal its mechanism, we determined the crystal structure of the catalytic head of Thermotoga maritima MR and analyzed ATP dependent conformational changes. MR adopts an open form with a central Mre11 nuclease dimer and two peripheral Rad50 molecules, a form suited for sensing obstructed breaks. The Mre11 C-terminal helix-loop-helix domain binds Rad50 and attaches flexibly to the nuclease domain, enabling large conformational changes. ATP binding to the two Rad50 subunits induces a rotation of the Mre11 helix-loop-helix and Rad50 coiled-coil domains, creating a clamp conformation with increased DNA binding activity. The results suggest that MR is an ATP controlled transient molecular clamp at DNA double-strand breaks
The repair of DNA double‐strand breaks (DSBs) is necessary to maintain genome stability and prevent cell aberration and cancer development. Meiotic recombination 11 (Mre11) and radiation sensitivity 50 (Rad50) form an evolutionary conserved complex (denoted Mre11 complex) that is a key factor in the detection, repair, and signaling of DSBs. The Mre11 complex possesses ATP‐stimulated DNA binding, DNA endo‐ and exonuclease activities as well as DNA cross‐linking functions. The Mre11 complex is a primary sensor for DNA DSBs and is involved in many aspects of the repair of and cellular response to DNA DSBs. Its activity is controlled by at least three different metal binding sites, a manganese‐dependent nuclease (Mre11 phosphodiesterase domain), a magnesium‐dependent ATPase (Rad50 ABC ATPase domain), and a zinc‐mediated DNA tethering function, located at the apex of a long Rad50 coiled‐coil domain. Although the mechanism remains to be shown, current structural and functional data indicate that the Mre11 complex is an ATP‐dependent cross‐linker and a processing factor for DNA ends.
The repair of DNA double‐strand breaks (DSBs) is necessary to maintain genome stability and prevent cell aberration and cancer development. Meiotic recombination 11 (Mre11) and radiation sensitivity 50 (Rad50) form an evolutionary conserved complex (denoted Mre11 complex) that is a key factor in the detection, repair, and signaling of DSBs. The Mre11 complex possesses ATP‐stimulated DNA binding, DNA endo‐ and exonuclease activities as well as DNA cross‐linking functions. The Mre11 complex is a primary sensor for DNA DSBs and is involved in many aspects of the repair of and cellular response to DNA DSBs. Its activity is controlled by at least three different metal binding sites, a manganese‐dependent nuclease (Mre11 phosphodiesterase domain), a magnesium‐dependent ATPase (Rad50 ABC ATPase domain), and a zinc‐mediated DNA tethering function, located at the apex of a long Rad50 coiled‐coil domain. Although the mechanism remains to be shown, current structural and functional data indicate that the Mre11 complex is an ATP‐dependent cross‐linker and a processing factor for DNA ends.
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