Crystal structure of an archaeal Rad51 homologue in complex with a metatungstate inhibitor.
Li, Y., He, Y., Luo, Y.(2009) Biochemistry 48: 6805-6810
- PubMed: 19555119 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/bi900832t
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
3FYH - PubMed Abstract: 
Archaeal RadAs are close homologues of eukaryal Rad51s ( approximately 40% sequence identities). These recombinases promote a hallmark strand exchange process between homologous single-stranded and double-stranded DNA substrates. This DNA-repairing function also plays a key role in cancer cells' resistance to chemo- and radiotherapy. Inhibition of the strand exchange process may render cancer cells more susceptible to therapeutic treatment. We found that metatungstate is a potent inhibitor of RadA from Methanococcus voltae. The tungsten cluster binds RadA in the axial DNA-binding groove. This polyanionic species appears to inhibit RadA by locking the protein in its inactive conformation.
Organizational Affiliation: 
Department of Biochemistry, University of Saskatchewan, A3 Health Sciences Building, 107 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada S7N 5E5.