The partner-swapping sliding clamp loader exposed

Eukaryotes possess several clamp loaders comprising four common subunits and a fifth subunit unique to each complex. The RFC-A-E clamp loader loads the PCNA clamp at 3 '-recessed structures for DNA replication. However, swapping a single subunit, Rad24, for RFC-A yields a clamp loader that prefers the 911 clamp and 5 '-recessed DNA. Three new studies reveal detailed views of the clamp loading reaction and provide insights into substrate preferences of each loader.

Automated summary

Eukaryotes possess various clamp loaders, each with four common subunits and a unique fifth subunit. The RFC-A-E clamp loader loads the PCNA clamp at 3'-recessed DNA structures, while swapping the Rad24 subunit for RFC-A results in a loader that prefers the 911 clamp and 5'-recessed DNA. Recent studies provide detailed insights into the clamp loading reaction and substrate preferences of each loader.