Structural insight into DNA joining: from conserved mechanisms to diverse scaffolds

DNA ligases are diverse enzymes with essential functions in replication and repair of DNA; here we review recent advances in their structure and distribution and discuss how this contributes to understanding their biological roles and technological potential. Recent high-resolution crystal structure...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nucleic acids research 2020
Main Authors: Williamson, Adele Kim, Leiros, Hanna-Kirsti S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Chemistry: 440
Kjemi: 440
Matematikk og Naturvitenskap: 400
Mathematics and natural science: 400
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Summary:DNA ligases are diverse enzymes with essential functions in replication and repair of DNA; here we review recent advances in their structure and distribution and discuss how this contributes to understanding their biological roles and technological potential. Recent high-resolution crystal structures of DNA ligases from different organisms, including DNA-bound states and reaction intermediates, have provided considerable insight into their enzymatic mechanism and substrate interactions. All cellular organisms possess at least one DNA ligase, but many species encode multiple forms some of which are modular multifunctional enzymes. New experimental evidence for participation of DNA ligases in pathways with additional DNA modifying enzymes is defining their participation in non-redundant repair processes enabling elucidation of their biological functions. Coupled with identification of a wealth of DNA ligase sequences through genomic data, our increased appreciation of the structural diversity and phylogenetic distribution of DNA ligases has the potential to uncover new biotechnological tools and provide new treatment options for bacterial pathogens.
ISSN:0305-1048
1362-4962
1362-4962
DOI:10.1093/nar/gkaa307