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A closed conformation of the Caenorhabditis elegans separase-securin complex

Winter, Anja

A closed conformation of the Caenorhabditis elegans separase-securin complex Thumbnail


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Abstract

The protease separase plays a key role in sister chromatid disjunction and centriole disengagement. To maintain genomic stability, separase activity is strictly regulated by binding of an inhibitory protein, securin. Despite its central role in cell division, the separase and securin complex is poorly understood at the structural level. This is partly owing to the difficulty of generating a sufficient quantity of homogeneous, stable protein. Here, we report the production of Caenorhabditis elegans separase-securin complex, and its characterization using biochemical methods and by negative staining electron microscopy. Single particle analysis generated a density map at a resolution of 21-24 Å that reveals a close, globular structure of complex connectivity harbouring two lobes. One lobe matches closely a homology model of the N-terminal HEAT repeat domain of separase, whereas the second lobe readily accommodates homology models of the separase C-terminal death and caspase-like domains. The globular structure of the C. elegans separase-securin complex contrasts with the more elongated structure previously described for the Homo sapiens complex, which could represent a different functional state of the complex, suggesting a mechanism for the regulation of separase activity through conformational change.

Acceptance Date Apr 13, 2016
Publication Date Apr 13, 2016
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Open Biology
Publisher The Royal Society
Pages 160032 - ?
DOI https://doi.org/10.1098/rsob.160032
Keywords Animals, Caenorhabditis elegans, Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins, Computational Biology, Intrinsically Disordered Proteins, Models, Molecular, Multiprotein Complexes, Protein Domains, Protein Stability, Securin, Separase, chromosome segregation, electron
Publisher URL http://rsob.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/6/4/160032

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