Protein gates in DNA gyrase

DNA gyrase is a molecular machine comprising a series of protein gates. The opening and closing of these gates enables the passage of one segment of double-stranded DNA (the T segment) through a transient break in another (the G segment). We have blocked the passage of DNA through each of three dimer interfaces within gyrase and investigated the effects on gyrase mechanism. This has been achieved by cross-linking novel cysteine residues on either side of the dimer interface, or trapping the dimer interface in a closed conformation using a non-hydrolysable ATP analogue.;Cross-linking a pair of novel cysteine residues on either side of the bottom dimer interface of DNA gyrase blocks catalytic supercoiling. Limited strand passage is allowed, but T-segment release is prevented. In contrast, ATP-independent relaxation of negatively supercoiled DNA is completely abolished, suggesting that T-segment entry via the bottom gate is blocked. These findings support a two-gate model for supercoiling in by DNA gyrase and suggest that relaxation by gyrase is the reversal of supercoiling. Cross-linking a truncated version of gyrase, (A642B2) that lacks the DNA wrapping domains, does not block ATP-dependent relaxation. This indicates that passage of DNA through the bottom dimer interface is not essential for this reaction.;Using a similar approach, we have locked the DNA gate of gyrase using cysteine cross-linking. We show that this locked-gate mutant can bind quinolone drugs and perform DNA cleavage. However, locking the DNA gate prevents strand passage and the ability of DNA to stimulate ATP hydrolysis.