The dimeric architecture of checkpoint kinases Mec1ATR and Tel1ATM reveal a common structural organization

Marta Sawicka, Paulina H. Wanrooij, Vidya C. Darbari, Elias Tannous, Sarem Hailemariam, Daniel Bose, Alena V. Makarova, Peter M. Burgers, Xiaodong Zhang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

33 Scopus citations

Abstract

The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-related protein kinases are key regulators controlling a wide range of cellular events. The yeast Tel1 and Mec1·Ddc2 complex (ATM and ATR-ATRIP in humans) play pivotal roles in DNA replication, DNA damage signaling, and repair. Here, we present the first structural insight for dimers of Mec1·Ddc2 and Tel1 using single-particle electron microscopy. Both kinases reveal a head to head dimer with one major dimeric interface through the N-terminal HEAT (named after Huntingtin, elongation factor 3, protein phosphatase 2A, and yeast kinase TOR1) repeat. Their dimeric interface is significantly distinct from the interface of mTOR complex 1 dimer, which oligomerizes through two spatially separate interfaces. We also observe different structural organizations of kinase domains of Mec1 and Tel1. The kinase domains in the Mec1·Ddc2 dimer are located in close proximity to each other. However, in the Tel1 dimer they are fully separated, providing potential access of substrates to this kinase, even in its dimeric form.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)13436-13447
Number of pages12
JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry
Volume291
Issue number26
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 24 2016

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