Structural insights into Saccharomyces cerevisiae Msh4-Msh5 complex function using homology modeling

PLoS One. 2013 Nov 14;8(11):e78753. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0078753. eCollection 2013.

Abstract

The Msh4-Msh5 protein complex in eukaryotes is involved in stabilizing Holliday junctions and its progenitors to facilitate crossing over during Meiosis I. These functions of the Msh4-Msh5 complex are essential for proper chromosomal segregation during the first meiotic division. The Msh4/5 proteins are homologous to the bacterial mismatch repair protein MutS and other MutS homologs (Msh2, Msh3, Msh6). Saccharomyces cerevisiae msh4/5 point mutants were identified recently that show two fold reduction in crossing over, compared to wild-type without affecting chromosome segregation. Three distinct classes of msh4/5 point mutations could be sorted based on their meiotic phenotypes. These include msh4/5 mutations that have a) crossover and viability defects similar to msh4/5 null mutants; b) intermediate defects in crossing over and viability and c) defects only in crossing over. The absence of a crystal structure for the Msh4-Msh5 complex has hindered an understanding of the structural aspects of Msh4-Msh5 function as well as molecular explanation for the meiotic defects observed in msh4/5 mutations. To address this problem, we generated a structural model of the S. cerevisiae Msh4-Msh5 complex using homology modeling. Further, structural analysis tailored with evolutionary information is used to predict sites with potentially critical roles in Msh4-Msh5 complex formation, DNA binding and to explain asymmetry within the Msh4-Msh5 complex. We also provide a structural rationale for the meiotic defects observed in the msh4/5 point mutations. The mutations are likely to affect stability of the Msh4/5 proteins and/or interactions with DNA. The Msh4-Msh5 model will facilitate the design and interpretation of new mutational data as well as structural studies of this important complex involved in meiotic chromosome segregation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • DNA, Cruciform / chemistry*
  • DNA, Cruciform / genetics
  • DNA, Cruciform / metabolism
  • DNA, Fungal / chemistry*
  • DNA, Fungal / genetics
  • DNA, Fungal / metabolism
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / chemistry*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Models, Molecular*
  • Multiprotein Complexes / chemistry*
  • Multiprotein Complexes / genetics
  • Multiprotein Complexes / metabolism
  • MutS DNA Mismatch-Binding Protein / chemistry
  • MutS DNA Mismatch-Binding Protein / genetics
  • MutS DNA Mismatch-Binding Protein / metabolism
  • Point Mutation
  • Protein Structure, Quaternary
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / chemistry*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / metabolism
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / chemistry*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / metabolism
  • Structural Homology, Protein

Substances

  • DNA, Cruciform
  • DNA, Fungal
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • MSH4 protein, S cerevisiae
  • MSH5 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Multiprotein Complexes
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
  • MutS DNA Mismatch-Binding Protein