Prokaryotic MutS and eukaryotic Msh proteins recognize base pair
mismatches and insertions or deletions in DNA and initiate mismatch
repair. These proteins function as dimers (and perhaps higher order
oligomers) and possess an ATPase activity that is essential for DNA
repair. Previous studies of Escherichia coli MutS and eukaryotic Msh2-Msh6
proteins have revealed asymmetry within the dimer with respect to both DNA
binding and ATPase activities. We have found the Thermus aquaticus MutS
protein amenable to detailed investigation of the nature and role of this
asymmetry. Here, we show that (a) in a MutS dimer one subunit (S1) binds
nucleotide with high affinity and the other (S2) with 10-fold weaker
affinity, (b) S1 hydrolyzes ATP rapidly while S2 hydrolyzes ATP at a
30-50-fold slower rate, (c) mismatched DNA binding to MutS inhibits ATP
hydrolysis at S1 but slow hydrolysis continues at S2, and (d) interaction
between mismatched DNA and MutS is weakened when both subunits are
occupied by ATP but remains stable when S1 is occupied by ATP and S2 by
ADP. These results reveal key MutS species in the ATPase pathway;
S1(ADP)-S2(ATP) is formed preferentially in the absence of DNA or in the
presence of fully matched DNA, while S1(ATP)-S2(ATP) and S1(ATP)-S2(ADP)
are formed preferentially in the presence of mismatched DNA. These MutS
species exhibit differences in interaction with mismatched DNA that are
likely important for the mechanism of MutS action in DNA repair.
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