Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40052821›Full record

ArticleNucleic acids research2025

Structural basis for cooperative ssDNA binding by bacteriophage protein filament P12.

Lena K Träger, Morris Degen, Joana Pereira, Janani Durairaj, Raphael Dias Teixeira, Sebastian Hiller, Nicolas Huguenin-Dezot

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Nucleic acids research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Lena K TrägerDepartment of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Schanzenstrasse 44, 4056 Basel, Switzerland.ORCID 0009-0009-1155-8038
Morris DegenBiozentrum, University of Basel, Spitalstrasse 41, 4056 Basel, Switzerland.ORCID 0000-0003-3762-5779
Joana PereiraBiozentrum, University of Basel, Spitalstrasse 41, 4056 Basel, Switzerland.ORCID 0000-0002-5588-6588
Janani DurairajBiozentrum, University of Basel, Spitalstrasse 41, 4056 Basel, Switzerland.ORCID 0000-0002-1698-4556
Raphael Dias TeixeiraBiozentrum, University of Basel, Spitalstrasse 41, 4056 Basel, Switzerland.
Sebastian HillerBiozentrum, University of Basel, Spitalstrasse 41, 4056 Basel, Switzerland.ORCID 0000-0002-6709-4684
Nicolas Huguenin-DezotDepartment of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Schanzenstrasse 44, 4056 Basel, Switzerland.ORCID 0000-0001-8816-2159

Funding

Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung PZ00P3_202 090Swiss Institute of BioinformaticsSwiss Nanoscience Institute
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Protein-primed DNA replication is a unique mechanism, bioorthogonal to other known DNA replication modes. It relies on specialised single-stranded DNA (ssDNA)-binding proteins (SSBs) to stabilise ssDNA intermediates by unknown mechanisms. Here, we present the structural and biochemical characterisation of P12, an SSB from bacteriophage PRD1. High-resolution cryo-electron microscopy reveals that P12 forms a unique, cooperative filament along ssDNA. Each protomer binds the phosphate backbone of 6 nucleotides in a sequence-independent manner, protecting ssDNA from nuclease degradation. Filament formation is driven by an intrinsically disordered C-terminal tail, facilitating cooperative binding. We identify residues essential for ssDNA interaction and link the ssDNA-binding ability of P12 to toxicity in host cells. Bioinformatic analyses place the P12 fold as a distinct branch within the OB-like fold family. This work offers new insights into protein-primed DNA replication and lays a foundation for biotechnological applications.

Indexed as

BacteriophagesDNA-Binding ProteinsDNA, Single-StrandedViral ProteinsBinding SitesCryoelectron MicroscopyDNA ReplicationModels, MolecularProtein BindingDNA-Binding ProteinsDNA, Single-StrandedViral Proteins

Identifiers

PMID40052821
PMCPMC11886824

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.