My research involves x-ray crystallographic studies of the enzymes dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) and DNA polymerase beta (polB). Current projects include construction of a crystallographic movie of DHFR, depicting loop and subdomain conformational movements during one turnover of substrate. Here is a sample of some of my past work:
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Crystal Structure of Rat DNA Polymerase Beta: Evidence for a Common Polymerase MechanismM. R. Sawaya, H. Pelletier, A. Kumar, S. H. Wilson, & J. Kraut. Science Vol. 264, 1930-1935.
Structures of Ternary Complexes of Rat DNA Polymerase Beta, a DNA Template-Primer, and ddCTP H. Pelletier, M. R. Sawaya, A. Kumar, S. H. Wilson, & J. Kraut. Science Vol. 264, 1891-1903.
Enzyme-DNA Interactions Required for Efficient Nucleotide Incorporation and Discrimination in Human DNA Polymerase W. A. Beard, W. P. Osheroff, R. Prasad, M. R. Sawaya, M. Jaju, T. G. Wood, J. Kraut, T. A. Kunkel, S. H. Wilson. Journal of Biological Chemistry Volume 271, Number 21, Issue of May 24, 1996 pp. 12141-12144.
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Crystal Structures of Human DNA Polymerase Complexed with DNA: Implications for Catalytic Mechanism, Processivity, and Fidelity Huguette Pelletier, Michael R. Sawaya, William Wolfle, Samuel H. Wilson, and Joseph Kraut (1996a) Biochemistry, Volume 35, Issue 39, pp. 12742- 12761.
A Structural Basis for Metal Ion Mutagenicity and Nucleotide Selectivity in Human DNA Polymerase Huguette Pelletier, Michael R. Sawaya, William Wolfle, Samuel H. Wilson, and Joseph Kraut (1996b) Biochemistry, Volume 35, Issue 39, p 12762-1277.
Characterization of the Metal Ion Binding Helix-Hairpin-Helix Motifs in Human DNA Polymerase by X-ray Structural Analysis Huguette Pelletier and Michael R. Sawaya (1996c) Biochemistry, Volume 35, Issue 39, p 12778-12787.
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Isomorphous crystal structures of Escherichia coli dihydrofolate reductase complexed with folate, deazafolate, and 5,10-dideazatetrahydrofolate: mechanistic implications V. M. Reyes, M. R. Sawaya, K. A. Brown, & J. Kraut. Biochemistry, Vol. 34, pp. 2710-2723, (1995).
Loop and Domain Movements in the Mechanism of E. Coli Dihydrofolate Reductase: Crystallographic Evidence. M. R. Sawaya, & J. Kraut. Biochemistry, Vol 36, pp. 586-603, (1997). DHFR the Movie.
Crystallization of the A alpha subunit of protein phosphatase 2A M. O. Skidmore, M. R. Sawaya, S. Parkin, B. Rupp, H. Hope, S. J. Everse, & G. Walter. Protein Science (1996), 5: 1198- 1200.
Meanwhile, here is a musical score to enhance your viewing enjoyment. musical score.
If you have any comments about my movie, please click on my email Michael R. Sawaya (msawaya@ucsd.edu). A screen should pop up (its self explanatory) and there will be buttons for send and cancel.