The mitochondrial DNA helicase TWINKLE can assemble on a closed circular template and support initiation of DNA synthesis

E. Jemt, G.A. Farge, S. Backstrom, T. Holmlund, C. M. Gustafsson, M. Falkenberg

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Abstract

Mitochondrial DNA replication is performed by a simple machinery, containing the TWINKLE DNA helicase, a single-stranded DNA-binding protein, and the mitochondrial DNA polymerase γ. In addition, mitochondrial RNA polymerase is required for primer formation at the origins of DNA replication. TWINKLE adopts a hexameric ring-shaped structure that must load on the closed circular mtDNA genome. In other systems, a specialized helicase loader often facilitates helicase loading. We here demonstrate that TWINKLE can function without a specialized loader. We also show that the mitochondrial replication machinery can assemble on a closed circular DNA template and efficiently elongate a DNA primer in a manner that closely resembles initiation of mtDNA synthesis in vivo. © 2011 The Author(s).
Original languageEnglish
JournalNucleic Acids Research
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2011

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