Quantitative analysis of binding of single-stranded DNA by Escherichia coli DnaB helicase and the DnaB, DnaC complex

DnaB helicase is responsible for unwinding duplex DNA during chromosomal DNA replication and is an essential component of the DNA replication apparatus in Escherichia coli. We have analyzed the mechanism of binding of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) by the DnaB, DnaC complex and DnaB helicase. Binding of ssDNA to DnaB helicase was significantly modulated by nucleotide cofactors, and the modulation was distinctly different for its complex with DnaC. DnaB helicase bound ssDNA with a high affinity [K-d = (5.09 +/- 0.32) x 10(-8) M] only in the presence of ATP gamma S, a nonhydrolyzable analogue of ATP, but not other nucleotides. The binding was sensitive to ionic strength but not to changes in temperature in the range of 30-37 degrees C. On the other hand, ssDNA binding in the presence of ADP was weaker than that observed with ATP gamma S, and the binding was insensitive to ionic strength. DnaC protein hexamerizes to form a 1: 1 complex with the DnaB hexamer and loads it onto the ssDNA by forming a DnaB(6)center dot DnaC(6) dodecameric complex. Our results demonstrate that the DnaB(6)center dot DnaC(6) complex bound ssDNA with a high affinity [K-d = (6.26 +/- 0.65) x 10(-8) M] in the presence of ATP, unlike the DnaB hexamer. In the presence of ATP gamma S or ADP, binding of ssDNA by the DnaB(6)center dot DnaC(6) complex was a lower-affinity process. In summary, our results suggest that in the presence of ATP in vivo, the DnaB(6)center dot DnaC(6) complex should be more efficient in binding DNA as well as in loading DnaB onto the ssDNA than DnaB helicase itself.