The Q Motif of Fanconi Anemia Group J Protein (FANCJ) DNA Helicase Regulates Its Dimerization, DNA Binding, and DNA Repair Function

The Q motif, conserved in a number of RNA and DNA helicases, is proposed to be important for ATP binding based on structural data, but its precise biochemical functions are less certain. FANCJ encodes a Q motif DEAH box DNA helicase implicated in Fanconi anemia and breast cancer. A Q25A mutation of the invariant glutamine in the Q motif abolished its ability to complement cisplatin or telomestatin sensitivity of a fancj null cell line and exerted a dominant negative effect. Biochemical characterization of the purified recombinant FANCJ-Q25A protein showed that the mutation disabled FANCJ helicase activity and the ability to disrupt protein-DNA interactions. FANCJ-Q25A showed impaired DNA binding and ATPase activity but displayed ATP binding and temperature-induced unfolding transition similar to FANCJ-WT. Size exclusion chromatography and sedimentation velocity analyses revealed that FANCJ-WT existed as molecular weight species corresponding to a monomer and a dimer, and the dimeric form displayed a higher specific activity for ATPase and helicase, as well as greater DNA binding. In contrast, FANCJ-Q25A existed only as a monomer, devoid of helicase activity. Thus, the Q motif is essential for FANCJ enzymatic activity in vitro and DNA repair function in vivo. The conserved Q motif of RNA/DNA helicases has been structurally implicated in nucleotide binding; however, its biochemical functions are less certain. Mutagenesis of the Q motif in FANCJ DNA helicase perturbs dimerization, DNA binding, and catalytic function. The Q motif is essential for FANCJ enzymatic activity and DNA repair. The FANCJ Q motif is important for its biochemical and cellular functions.