The Molecular Cell Bio Group is pleased to welcome Brooks Crickard, Assistant Professor in the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, to present: “Should I stay or should I go now? How protein phosphorylation regulations two DNA translocases during homologus recombination.”

This event will be held in Weill Hall 226 @ 4PM on 05/02. Pizza and refreshments will be served. We hope to see you there!

Abstract:

Rad54 and Rdh54 are two highly conserved DNA motor proteins that function to maintain genomic integrity during homologous recombination (HR). These motors are paralogs that function in a partially redundant fashion. Despite the overlap in function,  each motor makes unique contributions to HR during the repair process. Separation of these unique functions has been challenging. Importantly, Rad54 and Rdh54 function as oligomers, and their self-association during DNA repair is partly controlled by their highly disordered N-terminal domains.  Because the self-association of these proteins is likely essential for functions, we sought to understand how the phosphorylation of these proteins may impact their function during HR. In both proteins, we identified a unique phosphorylation site. In the case of Rdh54, this altered the protein’s self-association, translocation, and ATP hydrolytic activity. In the case of Rad54, we also see a reduction in general activity and translocation. We have developed a hypothesis that phosphorylation of these motor proteins regulates translocation on DNA and likely contributes to their structural organization within DNA repair centers. The implications of this will be discussed.