Crystal structure of the bacteriophage P2 integrase catalytic domain

• Bacteriophage P2 is a temperate phage capable of integrating its DNA into the host genome by site-specific recombination upon lysogenization. Integration and excision of the phage genome requires P2 integrase, which performs recognition, cleavage and joining of DNA during these processes. This work presents the high-resolution crystal structure of the catalytic domain of P2 integrase, and analysis of several non-functional P2 integrase mutants. The DNA binding area is characterized by a large positively charged patch, harbouring key residues. The structure reveals potential for large dimer flexibility, likely essential for rearrangement of DNA strands upon integration and excision.

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Biologi -- Biokemi och molekylärbiologi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Biological Sciences -- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Bacteriophage P2

Integrase

Integration

Site-specific recombination

Tyrosine recombinase

Biochemistry

biokemi

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)