Identification and characterization of SMARCAL1 protein complexes

PLoS One. 2013 May 9;8(5):e63149. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0063149. Print 2013.

Abstract

SMARCAL1 is an ATPase in the SNF2 family that functions at damaged replication forks to promote their stability and restart. It acts by translocating on DNA to catalyze DNA strand annealing, branch migration, and fork regression. Many SNF2 enzymes work as motor subunits of large protein complexes. To determine if SMARCAL1 is also a member of a protein complex and to further understand how it functions in the replication stress response, we used a proteomics approach to identify interacting proteins. In addition to the previously characterized interaction with replication protein A (RPA), we found that SMARCAL1 forms complexes with several additional proteins including DNA-PKcs and the WRN helicase. SMARCAL1 and WRN co-localize at stalled replication forks independently of one another. The SMARCAL1 interaction with WRN is indirect and is mediated by RPA acting as a scaffold. SMARCAL1 and WRN act independently to prevent MUS81 cleavage of the stalled fork. Biochemical experiments indicate that both catalyze fork regression with SMARCAL1 acting more efficiently and independently of WRN. These data suggest that RPA brings a complex of SMARCAL1 and WRN to stalled forks, but that they may act in different pathways to promote fork repair and restart.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • DNA / chemistry
  • DNA / genetics
  • DNA / metabolism
  • DNA Breaks, Double-Stranded
  • DNA Helicases / genetics
  • DNA Helicases / metabolism*
  • DNA Repair
  • DNA Replication*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Endonucleases / genetics
  • Endonucleases / metabolism
  • Exodeoxyribonucleases / genetics
  • Exodeoxyribonucleases / metabolism*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Immunoblotting
  • Immunoprecipitation
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • Protein Binding
  • Proteomics / methods
  • RecQ Helicases / genetics
  • RecQ Helicases / metabolism*
  • Replication Protein A / genetics
  • Replication Protein A / metabolism*
  • S Phase / genetics
  • Werner Syndrome Helicase

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Replication Protein A
  • DNA
  • SMARCAL1 protein, human
  • Endonucleases
  • Exodeoxyribonucleases
  • MUS81 protein, human
  • DNA Helicases
  • RecQ Helicases
  • WRN protein, human
  • Werner Syndrome Helicase