Yeast require redox switching in DNA primase

Eukaryotic DNA primases contain a [4Fe4S] cluster in the C-terminal domain of the p58 subunit (p58C) that affects substrate affinity but is not required for catalysis. We show that, in yeast primase, the cluster serves as a DNA-mediated redox switch governing DNA binding, just as in human primase. Despite a different structural arrangement of tyrosines to facilitate electron transfer between the DNA substrate and [4Fe4S] cluster, in yeast, mutation of tyrosines Y395 and Y397 alters the same electron transfer chemistry and redox switch. Mutation of conserved tyrosine 395 diminishes the extent of p58C participation in normal redox-switching reactions, whereas mutation of conserved tyrosine 397 causes oxidative cluster degradation to the [3Fe4S]^+ species during p58C redox signaling. Switching between oxidized and reduced states in the presence of the Y397 mutations thus puts primase [4Fe4S] cluster integrity and function at risk. Consistent with these observations, we find that yeast tolerate mutations to Y395 in p58C, but the single-residue mutation Y397L in p58C is lethal. Our data thus show that a constellation of tyrosines for protein-DNA electron transfer mediates the redox switch in eukaryotic primases and is required for primase function in vivo

Yeast require redox switching in DNA primase

Eukaryotic DNA primases contain a [4Fe4S] cluster in the C-terminal domain of the p58 subunit (p58C) that affects substrate affinity but is not required for catalysis. We show that, in yeast primase, the cluster serves as a DNA-mediated redox switch governing DNA binding, just as in human primase. Despite a different structural arrangement of tyrosines to facilitate electron transfer between the DNA substrate and [4Fe4S] cluster, in yeast, mutation of tyrosines Y395 and Y397 alters the same electron transfer chemistry and redox switch. Mutation of conserved tyrosine 395 diminishes the extent of p58C participation in normal redox-switching reactions, whereas mutation of conserved tyrosine 397 causes oxidative cluster degradation to the [3Fe4S]^+ species during p58C redox signaling. Switching between oxidized and reduced states in the presence of the Y397 mutations thus puts primase [4Fe4S] cluster integrity and function at risk. Consistent with these observations, we find that yeast tolerate mutations to Y395 in p58C, but the single-residue mutation Y397L in p58C is lethal. Our data thus show that a constellation of tyrosines for protein-DNA electron transfer mediates the redox switch in eukaryotic primases and is required for primase function in vivo

Interaction of yeast Rad51 and Rad52 relieves Rad52-mediated inhibition of de novo telomere addition.

DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are toxic forms of DNA damage that must be repaired to maintain genome integrity. Telomerase can act upon a DSB to create a de novo telomere, a process that interferes with normal repair and creates terminal deletions. We previously identified sequences in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SiRTAs; Sites of Repair-associated Telomere Addition) that undergo unusually high frequencies of de novo telomere addition, even when the original chromosome break is several kilobases distal to the eventual site of telomerase action. Association of the single-stranded telomere binding protein Cdc13 with a SiRTA is required to stimulate de novo telomere addition. Because extensive resection must occur prior to Cdc13 binding, we utilized these sites to monitor the effect of proteins involved in homologous recombination. We find that telomere addition is significantly reduced in the absence of the Rad51 recombinase, while loss of Rad52, required for Rad51 nucleoprotein filament formation, has no effect. Deletion of RAD52 suppresses the defect of the rad51Δ strain, suggesting that Rad52 inhibits de novo telomere addition in the absence of Rad51. The ability of Rad51 to counteract this effect of Rad52 does not require DNA binding by Rad51, but does require interaction between the two proteins, while the inhibitory effect of Rad52 depends on its interaction with Replication Protein A (RPA). Intriguingly, the genetic interactions we report between RAD51 and RAD52 are similar to those previously observed in the context of checkpoint adaptation. Forced recruitment of Cdc13 fully restores telomere addition in the absence of Rad51, suggesting that Rad52, through its interaction with RPA-coated single-stranded DNA, inhibits the ability of Cdc13 to bind and stimulate telomere addition. Loss of the Rad51-Rad52 interaction also stimulates a subset of Rad52-dependent microhomology-mediated repair (MHMR) events, consistent with the known ability of Rad51 to prevent single-strand annealing

Yeast require redox switching in DNA primase.

Eukaryotic DNA primases contain a [4Fe4S] cluster in the C-terminal domain of the p58 subunit (p58C) that affects substrate affinity but is not required for catalysis. We show that, in yeast primase, the cluster serves as a DNA-mediated redox switch governing DNA binding, just as in human primase. Despite a different structural arrangement of tyrosines to facilitate electron transfer between the DNA substrate and [4Fe4S] cluster, in yeast, mutation of tyrosines Y395 and Y397 alters the same electron transfer chemistry and redox switch. Mutation of conserved tyrosine 395 diminishes the extent of p58C participation in normal redox-switching reactions, whereas mutation of conserved tyrosine 397 causes oxidative cluster degradation to the [3Fe4S]+ species during p58C redox signaling. Switching between oxidized and reduced states in the presence of the Y397 mutations thus puts primase [4Fe4S] cluster integrity and function at risk. Consistent with these observations, we find that yeast tolerate mutations to Y395 in p58C, but the single-residue mutation Y397L in p58C is lethal. Our data thus show that a constellation of tyrosines for protein-DNA electron transfer mediates the redox switch in eukaryotic primases and is required for primase function in vivo