Proliferating cell nuclear antigen uses two distinct modes to move along DNA

Anna B. Kochaniak, Satoshi Habuchi, Joseph J. Loparo, Debbie J. Chang, Karlene A. Cimprich, Johannes C. Walter, Antoine M. van Oijen*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

109 Scopus citations

Abstract

Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) plays an important role in eukaryotic genomic maintenance by topologically binding DNA and recruiting replication and repair proteins. The ring-shaped protein forms a closed circle around double stranded DNA and is able to move along the DNA in a random walk. The molecular nature of this diffusion process is poorly understood. We use single-molecule imaging to visualize the movement of individual, fluorescently labeled PCNA molecules along stretched DNA. Measurements of diffusional properties as a function of viscosity and protein size suggest that PCNA moves along DNA using two different sliding modes. Most of the time, the clamp moves while rotationally tracking the helical pitch of the DNA duplex. In a less frequently used second mode of diffusion, the movement of the protein is uncoupled from the helical pitch, and the clamp diffuses at much higher rates.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)17700-17710
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry
Volume284
Issue number26
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 26 2009
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

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