Structural insights into sequence-dependent Holliday junction resolution by the chloroplast resolvase MOC1

Junjie Yan, Sixing Hong, Zeyuan Guan, Wenjing He, Delin Zhang and Ping Yin ()
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Junjie Yan: Huazhong Agricultural University
Sixing Hong: Huazhong Agricultural University
Zeyuan Guan: Huazhong Agricultural University
Wenjing He: Huazhong Agricultural University
Delin Zhang: Huazhong Agricultural University
Ping Yin: Huazhong Agricultural University

Nature Communications, 2020, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Holliday junctions (HJs) are key DNA intermediates in genetic recombination and are eliminated by nuclease, termed resolvase, to ensure genome stability. HJ resolvases have been identified across all kingdoms of life, members of which exhibit sequence-dependent HJ resolution. However, the molecular basis of sequence selectivity remains largely unknown. Here, we present the chloroplast resolvase MOC1, which cleaves HJ in a cytosine-dependent manner. We determine the crystal structure of MOC1 with and without HJs. MOC1 exhibits an RNase H fold, belonging to the retroviral integrase family. MOC1 functions as a dimer, and the HJ is embedded into the basic cleft of the dimeric enzyme. We characterize a base recognition loop (BR loop) that protrudes into and opens the junction. Residues from the BR loop intercalate into the bases, disrupt the C-G base pairing at the crossover and recognize the cytosine, providing the molecular basis for sequence-dependent HJ resolution by a resolvase.

Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15242-8

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