Mycobacterial DnaB helicase intein as oxidative stress sensor

Danielle S. Kelley, Christopher W. Lennon, Zhong Li, Michael R. Miller, Nilesh K. Banavali, Hongmin Li () and Marlene Belfort ()
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Danielle S. Kelley: University at Albany
Christopher W. Lennon: University at Albany
Zhong Li: New York State Department of Health
Michael R. Miller: University at Albany
Nilesh K. Banavali: University at Albany
Hongmin Li: University at Albany
Marlene Belfort: University at Albany

Nature Communications, 2018, vol. 9, issue 1, 1-15

Abstract: Abstract Inteins are widespread self-splicing protein elements emerging as potential post-translational environmental sensors. Here, we describe two inteins within one protein, the Mycobacterium smegmatis replicative helicase DnaB. These inteins, DnaBi1 and DnaBi2, have homology to inteins in pathogens, splice with vastly varied rates, and are differentially responsive to environmental stressors. Whereas DnaBi1 splicing is reversibly inhibited by oxidative and nitrosative insults, DnaBi2 is not. Using a reporter that measures splicing in a native intein-containing organism and western blotting, we show that H2O2 inhibits DnaBi1 splicing in M. smegmatis. Intriguingly, upon oxidation, the catalytic cysteine of DnaBi1 forms an intramolecular disulfide bond. We report a crystal structure of the class 3 DnaBi1 intein at 1.95 Å, supporting our findings and providing insight into this splicing mechanism. We propose that this cysteine toggle allows DnaBi1 to sense stress, pausing replication to maintain genome integrity, and then allowing splicing immediately when permissive conditions return.

Date: 2018
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06554-x

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