Abstract of the PDB Structure's related Publication:
The Kae1 (Kinase-associated endopeptidase 1) protein is a member of the recently identified transcription complex EKC and telomeres maintenance complex KEOPS in yeast. Kae1 homologues are encoded by all sequenced genomes in the three domains of life. Although annotated as putative endopeptidases, the actual functions of these universal proteins are unknown. Here we show that the purified Kae1 protein (Pa-Kae1) from Pyrococcus abyssi is an iron-protein with a novel type of ATP-binding site. Surprisingly, this protein did not exhibit endopeptidase activity in vitro but binds cooperatively to single and double-stranded DNA and induces unusual DNA conformational change. Furthermore, Pa-Kae1 exhibits a class I apurinic (AP)-endonuclease activity (AP-lyase). Both DNA binding and AP-endonuclease activity are inhibited by ATP. Kae1 is thus a novel and atypical universal DNA interacting protein whose importance could rival those of RecA (RadA/Rad51) in the maintenance of genome integrity in all living cells.
Archaeal Kae1 (Kinase-Associated Endopeptidase 1) is a ortholog of bacterial TsaD (YgjD) and mitochondrial Qri7. As in most archaea, the P. abyssi Kae1 is fused to an atypical small RIO-type kinase homologous to the yeast protein Bud32 (PRPK for p53-related protein kinase). P. abyssi Kae1 is an iron metalloprotein that has a novel type of ATP-binding site. It works with other proteins of the KEOPS complex (Bud32, Pcc1 and Cgi121).
An archaeal orthologue of the universal protein Kae1 is an iron metalloprotein which exhibits atypical DNA-binding properties and apurinic-endonuclease activity in vitro.
Hecker A, Leulliot N, Gadelle D, Graille M, Justome A, Dorlet P, Brochier C, Quevillon-Cheruel S, Le Cam E, van Tilbeurgh H, Forterre P