Structural insight into LexA-RecA* interaction

Nucleic Acids Res. 2013 Nov;41(21):9901-10. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkt744. Epub 2013 Aug 21.

Abstract

RecA protein is a hallmark for the bacterial response to insults inflicted on DNA. It catalyzes the strand exchange step of homologous recombination and stimulates self-inactivation of the LexA transcriptional repressor. Importantly, by these activities, RecA contributes to the antibiotic resistance of bacteria. An original way to decrease the acquisition of antibiotic resistance would be to block RecA association with LexA. To engineer inhibitors of LexA-RecA complex formation, we have mapped the interaction area between LexA and active RecA-ssDNA filament (RecA*) and generated a three-dimensional model of the complex. The model revealed that one subunit of the LexA dimer wedges into a deep helical groove of RecA*, forming multiple interaction sites along seven consecutive RecA protomers. Based on the model, we predicted that LexA in its DNA-binding conformation also forms a complex with RecA* and that the operator DNA sterically precludes interaction with RecA*, which guides the induction of SOS gene expression. Moreover, the model shows that besides the catalytic C-terminal domain of LexA, its N-terminal DNA-binding domain also interacts with RecA*. Because all the model-based predictions have been confirmed experimentally, the presented model offers a validated insight into the critical step of the bacterial DNA damage response.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Bacterial Proteins / chemistry*
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Operator Regions, Genetic
  • Rec A Recombinases / chemistry*
  • Rec A Recombinases / metabolism
  • Repressor Proteins / chemistry*
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism
  • SOS Response, Genetics
  • Serine Endopeptidases / chemistry*
  • Serine Endopeptidases / metabolism

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • LexA protein, Bacteria
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Rec A Recombinases
  • Serine Endopeptidases