Mispair-bound human MutS–MutL complex triggers DNA incisions and activates mismatch repair

Janice Ortega, Grace Sanghee Lee, Liya Gu, Wei Yang, Guo Min Li

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

DNA mismatch repair (MMR) relies on MutS and MutL ATPases for mismatch recognition and strand-specific nuclease recruitment to remove mispaired bases in daughter strands. However, whether the MutS–MutL complex coordinates MMR by ATP-dependent sliding on DNA or protein–protein interactions between the mismatch and strand discrimination signal is ambiguous. Using functional MMR assays and systems preventing proteins from sliding, we show that sliding of human MutSα is required not for MMR initiation, but for final mismatch removal. MutSα recruits MutLα to form a mismatch-bound complex, which initiates MMR by nicking the daughter strand 5′ to the mismatch. Exonuclease 1 (Exo1) is then recruited to the nick and conducts 5′ → 3′ excision. ATP-dependent MutSα dissociation from the mismatch is necessary for Exo1 to remove the mispaired base when the excision reaches the mismatch. Therefore, our study has resolved a long-standing puzzle, and provided new insights into the mechanism of MMR initiation and mispair removal.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)542-553
Number of pages12
JournalCell Research
Volume31
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2021

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

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