Published online 12 January 2005
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Functional roles of carboxylate residues comprising the DNA polymerase active site triad of Ty3 reverse transcriptase
Resistance Mechanisms Laboratory, RT Biochemistry Section, HIV Drug Resistance Program, National Cancer Institute at Frederick Frederick, MD 21702, USA
*To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +1 301 846 5256; Fax: +1 301 846 6013; Email: slegrice{at}ncifcrf.gov
Received October 1, 2004. Revised November 22, 2004. Accepted December 7, 2004.
Aspartic acid residues comprising the -D-(aa) n -Y-L-D-D- DNA polymerase active site triad of reverse transcriptase from the Saccharomyces cerevisiae long terminal repeat-retrotransposon Ty3 (Asp151, Asp213 and Asp214) were evaluated via site-directed mutagenesis. An Asp151
Glu substitution showed a dramatic decrease in catalytic efficiency and a severe translocation defect following initiation of DNA synthesis. In contrast, enzymes harboring the equivalent alteration at Asp213 and Asp214 retained DNA polymerase activity. Asp151
Asn and Asp213
Asn substitutions eliminated both polymerase activities. However, while Asp214 of the triad could be replaced by either Asn or Glu, introducing Gln seriously affected processivity. Mutants of the carboxylate triad at positions 151 and 213 also failed to catalyze pyrophosphorolysis. Finally, alterations to the DNA polymerase active site affected RNase H activity, suggesting a close spatial relationship between these N- and C-terminal catalytic centers. Taken together, our data reveal a critical role for Asp151 and Asp213 in catalysis. In contrast, the second carboxylate of the Y-L-D-D motif (Asp214) is not essential for catalysis, and possibly fulfills a structural role. Although Asp214 was most insensitive to substitution with respect to activity of the recombinant enzyme, all alterations at this position were lethal for Ty3 transposition.
The authors wish it to be known that, in their opinion, the first two authors should be regarded as joint First Authors
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