Structure-based mechanism for activation of the AAA+ GTPase McrB by the endonuclease McrC.

Nirwan N, Itoh Y, Singh P, Bandyopadhyay S, Vinothkumar KR, Amunts A, Saikrishnan K

Nat Commun 10 (1) 3058 [2019-07-11; online 2019-07-11]

The AAA+ GTPase McrB powers DNA cleavage by the endonuclease McrC. The GTPase itself is activated by McrC. The architecture of the GTPase and nuclease complex, and the mechanism of their activation remained unknown. Here, we report a 3.6 Å structure of a GTPase-active and DNA-binding deficient construct of McrBC. Two hexameric rings of McrB are bridged by McrC dimer. McrC interacts asymmetrically with McrB protomers and inserts a stalk into the pore of the ring, reminiscent of the γ subunit complexed to α3β3 of F1-ATPase. Activation of the GTPase involves conformational changes of residues essential for hydrolysis. Three consecutive nucleotide-binding pockets are occupied by the GTP analogue 5'-guanylyl imidodiphosphate and the next three by GDP, which is suggestive of sequential GTP hydrolysis.

Alexey Amunts

SciLifeLab Fellow

PubMed 31296862

DOI 10.1038/s41467-019-11084-1

Crossref 10.1038/s41467-019-11084-1

pii: 10.1038/s41467-019-11084-1
pmc: PMC6624300


Publications 9.5.0