Base excision repair (BER) enzymes maintain the integrity of the genome, and in humans, BER mutations are associated with cancer. Given the remarkable sensitivity of DNA-mediated charge transport (CT) to mismatched and damaged base pairs, we have proposed that DNA repair glycosylases (EndoIII and MutY) containing a redox-active [4Fe4S] cluster could use DNA CT in signaling one another to search cooperatively for damage in the genome. Here, we examine this model, where we estimate that electron transfers over a few hundred base pairs are sufficient for rapid interrogation of the full genome. Using atomic force microscopy, we found a redistribution of repair proteins onto DNA strands containing a single base mismatch, consistent with our model for CT scanning. We also demonstrated in Escherichia coli a cooperativity between EndoIII and MutY that is predicted by the CT scanning model. This relationship does not require the enzymatic activity of the glycosylase. Y82A EndoIII, a mutation that renders the protein deficient in DNA-mediated CT, however, inhibits cooperativity between MutY and EndoIII. These results illustrate how repair proteins might efficiently locate DNA lesions and point to a biological role for DNA-mediated CT within the cell.DNA charge transport ͉ DNA damage ͉ iron-sulfur proteins ͉ oxidative stress

We describe here the construction of a three-dimensional, porous, crystalline framework formed by spherical protein nodes that assemble into a prescribed lattice arrangement through metal-organic linker-directed interactions. The octahedral iron storage enzyme, ferritin, was engineered in its C3 symmetric pores with tripodal Zn coordination sites. Dynamic light scattering and crystallographic studies established that this Zn-ferritin construct could robustly self-assemble into the desired bcc-type crystals upon coordination of a ditopic linker bearing hydroxamic acid functional groups. This system represents the first example of a ternary protein-metal-organic crystalline framework whose formation is fully dependent on each of its three components.

Damaged bases in DNA are known to lead to errors in replication and transcription, compromising the integrity of the genome. We have proposed a model where repair proteins containing redoxactive [4Fe-4S] clusters utilize DNA charge transport (CT) as a first step in finding lesions. In this model, the population of sites to search is reduced by a localization of protein in the vicinity of lesions. Here, we examine this model using single-molecule atomic force microscopy (AFM). XPD, a 5′-3′ helicase involved in nucleotide excision repair, contains a [4Fe-4S] cluster and exhibits a DNAbound redox potential that is physiologically relevant. In AFM studies, we observe the redistribution of XPD onto kilobase DNA strands containing a single base mismatch, which is not a specific substrate for XPD but, like a lesion, inhibits CT. We further provide evidence for DNA-mediated signaling between XPD and Endonuclease III (EndoIII), a base excision repair glycosylase that also contains a [4Fe-4S] cluster. When XPD and EndoIII are mixed together, they coordinate in relocalizing onto the mismatched strand. However, when a CT-deficient mutant of either repair protein is combined with the CT-proficient repair partner, no relocalization occurs. These data not only indicate a general link between the ability of a repair protein to carry out DNA CT and its ability to redistribute onto DNA strands near lesions but also provide evidence for coordinated DNA CT between different repair proteins in their search for damage in the genome.DNA electron transfer | iron-sulfur clusters | oxidative damage

The designed assembly of proteins into well-defined supramolecular architectures not only tests our understanding of proteinprotein interactions, but it also provides an opportunity to tailor materials with new physical and chemical properties. Previously, we described that RIDC3, a designed variant of the monomeric electron transfer protein cytochrome cb 562 , could self-assemble through Zn 2+ coordination into uniform 1D nanotubes or 2D arrays with crystalline order. Here we show that these 1D and 2D RIDC3 assemblies display very high chemical stabilities owing to their metal-mediated frameworks, maintaining their structural order in ≥90% (vol/vol) of several polar organic solvents including tetrahydrofuran (THF) and isopropanol (iPrOH). In contrast, the unassembled RIDC3 monomers denature in ∼30% THF and 50% iPrOH, indicating that metal-mediated self-assembly also leads to considerable stabilization of the individual building blocks. The 1D and 2D RIDC3 assemblies are highly thermostable as well, remaining intact at up to ∼70°C and ∼90°C, respectively. The 1D nanotubes cleanly convert into the 2D arrays on heating above 70°C, a rare example of a thermal crystalline-to-crystalline conversion in a biomolecular assembly. Finally, we demonstrate that the Zn-directed RIDC3 assemblies can be used to spatiotemporally control the templated growth of small Pt 0 nanocrystals. This emergent function is enabled by and absolutely dependent on both the supramolecular assembly of RIDC3 molecules (to form a periodically organized structural template) and their innate redox activities (to direct Pt 2+ reduction).protein self-assembly | supramolecular coordination chemistry | nanomaterials | biomaterials | inorganic nanoparticles T he enormous structural and chemical diversity of proteins makes them highly attractive building blocks for functional materials. Supramolecular protein assemblies constitute the major components of cellular machinery, and many of them [e.g., 0D ferritin (1), 1D silicatein filaments (2, 3), 2D S-layers (4)] have also found a number of applications in nano-and biotechnology (2, 4, 5). Such protein assemblies are typically highly ordered, yet they possess dynamic structures that respond to external stimuli (6). Distinctively, protein assemblies are innately functional: the individual building blocks of these assemblies often perform specific chemical functions. For instance, the monomeric components of silicatein filaments or ferritin cages each have catalytic sites that process the precursors (SiO 2 or Fe 2+ ) for the downstream biomineralization processes (1, 3). On self-assembly, these individual components can be significantly stabilized (allowing them to withstand the extracellular environment and perform their functions) (7), and their chemical function takes on an entirely different context within the supramolecular architecture (acting as the template for biomineralization in the cases of silicatein and ferritin). Thus, they display emergent properties, both structurally and functionally.Such a...

Conspectus The DNA duplex is an exquisite macromolecular array that stores genetic information to encode proteins and regulate pathways, but its unique structure imparts chemical function that allows it also to mediate charge transport (CT). We have utilized diverse platforms to probe DNA CT, using spectroscopic, electrochemical, and even genetic methods. These studies have established powerful features of DNA CT chemistry. DNA CT can occur over long molecular distances as long as the bases are well stacked; perturbations in base stacking as arise with single base mismatches, DNA lesions, and the binding of some proteins that kink the DNA, all serve to inhibit DNA CT. Significantly, single molecule studies of DNA CT show that ground state CT can occur over 34 nm as long as the duplex is well stacked; one single base mismatch inhibits CT. The DNA duplex is an effective sensor for the integrity of the base pair stack. Moreover the efficiency of DNA CT is what one would expect for a stack of graphite sheets, equivalent to the stack of DNA base pairs, and independent of the sugar-phosphate backbone. Since DNA CT offers a means to carry out redox chemistry from a distance, we have considered how this chemistry might be used for long range signaling in a biological context. We have taken advantage of our chemical probes and platforms to characterize DNA CT also in the context of the cell. CT can occur over long distances, perhaps funneling damage to particular sites and insulating others from oxidative stress. Significantly, transcription factors that activate the genome to respond to oxidative stress can also be activated from a distance through DNA CT. Numerous proteins work to maintain the integrity of the genome and increasingly they have been found to contain [4Fe-4S] clusters that do not appear to carry out either structural or enzymatic roles. Using electrochemical methods, we find that DNA binding shifts the redox potentials of the clusters, activating them towards oxidation at physiological potentials. We have proposed a model describing how repair proteins may utilize DNA CT to efficiently search the genome for lesions. Importantly, many of these proteins are in low copy number, and thus a processive mechanism is insufficient to explain how they find and repair lesions before the cell divides. Using atomic force microscopy and genetic assays, we find that repair proteins proficient at DNA CT are able to relocalize in the vicinity of DNA lesions and, within the cell, they cooperate in their repair of lesions. Conversely, proteins defective in DNA CT cannot relocalize in the vicinity of lesions and do not provide help to other proteins involved in repair within the cell; moreover these genetic defects are associated with disease in human protein analogues. As we continue to unravel this chemistry and discover more proteins with redox cofactors involved in genome maintenance, we are learning more regarding opportunities for long range signaling and sensing, and more examples of DNA CT chemistry that may play...

In all organisms, oxidation threatens the integrity of the genome. DNA-mediated charge transport (CT) may play an important role in the generation and repair of this oxidative damage. In studies involving long-range CT from intercalating Ru and Rh complexes to 5′-GG-3′ sites, we have examined the efficiency of CT as a function of distance, temperature, and the electronic coupling of metal oxidants bound to the base stack. Most striking is the shallow distance dependence and the sensitivity of DNA CT to how the metal complexes are stacked in the helix. Experiments with cyclopropylamine-modified bases have revealed that charge occupation occurs at all sites along the bridge. Using Ir complexes, we have seen that the process of DNA-mediated reduction is very similar to that of DNA-mediated oxidation. Studies involving metalloproteins have, furthermore, shown that their redox activity is DNA-dependent and can be DNA-mediated. Long range DNA-mediated CT can facilitate the oxidation of DNA-bound base excision repair proteins to initiate a redox-active search for DNA lesions. DNA CT can also activate the transcription factor SoxR, triggering a cellular response to oxidative stress. Indeed, these studies show that within the cell, redox-active proteins may utilize the same chemistry as that of synthetic metal complexes in vitro, and these proteins may harness DNA-mediated CT to reduce damage to the genome and regulate cellular processes.

Endonuclease III (EndoIII) is a base excision repair glycosylase that targets damaged pyrimidines and contains a [4Fe-4S] cluster. We have proposed a model where BER proteins that contain redox-active [4Fe-4S] clusters utilize DNA charge transport (CT) as a first step in the detection of DNA lesions. Here, several mutants of EndoIII were prepared to probe their efficiency of DNA/protein charge transport. Cyclic voltammetry experiments on DNA-modified electrodes show that aromatic residues F30, Y55, Y75 and Y82 help mediate charge transport between DNA and the [4Fe-4S] cluster. Based on circular dichroism studies to measure protein stability, mutations at residues W178 and Y185 are found to destabilize the protein; these residues may function to protect the [4Fe-4S] cluster. Atomic force microscopy studies furthermore reveal a correlation in the ability of mutants to carry out protein/DNA CT and their ability to relocalize onto DNA strands containing a single base mismatch; EndoIII mutants that are defective in carrying out DNA/protein CT do not redistribute onto mismatch-containing strands, consistent with our model. These results demonstrate a link between the ability of the repair protein to carry out DNA CT and its ability to relocalize near lesions, thus pointing to DNA CT as a key first step in the detection of base damage in the genome.

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