Photo by nci from unsplash
Significance The initiation of replication of duplex DNA genomes requires that the duplex be opened up for helicase unwinding and to enable assembly of replisome machines that act at DNA… Click to show full abstract
Significance The initiation of replication of duplex DNA genomes requires that the duplex be opened up for helicase unwinding and to enable assembly of replisome machines that act at DNA replication forks. Cellular and many viral DNA genomes utilize two hexameric helicases that encircle duplex DNA. How two helicases that encircle duplex DNA are able to unwind the duplex is unknown, but this is required for assembly of the DNA replication machinery. This study reveals a DNA shearing mechanism of duplex unwinding by head-to-head SV40 T-Antigen helicases while they encircle duplex DNA. We propose that the mechanism generalizes to other systems including archaeal and eukaryotic origin initiation.
Journal Title: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Year Published: 2022
Link to full text (if available)
Share on Social Media: Sign Up to like & get
recommendations!