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Thursday, September 12, 2013

PICH: A DNA Translocase Specially Adapted for Processing Anaphase Bridge DNA

Andreas Biebricher, Seiki Hirano, Jacqueline H. Enzlin, Nicola Wiechens, Werner W. Streicher, Diana Huttner, Lily H.-C. Wang, Erich A. Nigg, Tom Owen-Hughes, Ying Liu, Erwin Peterman, Gijs J.L. Wuite, Ian D. HicksonThe Plk1-interacting checkpoint helicase (PICH) protein localizes to ultrafine anaphase bridges (UFBs) in mitosis alongside a complex of DNA repair proteins, including the Bloom’s syndrome protein (BLM). However, very little is known about the function of PICH or how it is recruited to UFBs. Using a combination of microfluidics, fluorescence microscopy, and optical tweezers, we have defined the properties of PICH in an in vitro model of an anaphase bridge. We show that PICH binds with a remarkably high affinity to duplex DNA, resulting in ATP-dependent protein translocation and extension of the DNA. Most strikingly, the affinity of PICH for binding DNA increases with tension-induced DNA stretching, which mimics the effect of the mitotic spindle on a UFB. PICH binding also appears to diminish force-induced DNA melting. We propose a model in which PICH recognizes and stabilizes DNA under tension during anaphase, thereby facilitating the resolution of entangled sister chromatids.

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