Tn 10 transpososome assembly involves a folded intermediate that must be unfolded for target capture and strand transfer

Tn 10 transposition, like all transposition reactions examined thus far, involves assembly of a stable protein–DNA transpososome, containing a pair of transposon ends, within which all chemical events occur. We report here that stable Tn 10 pre‐cleavage transpososomes occur in two conformations: a folded form which contains the DNA‐bending factor IHF and an unfolded form which lacks IHF. Functional analysis shows that both forms undergo double strand cleavage at the transposon ends but that only the unfolded form is competent for target capture (and thus for strand transfer to target DNA). Additional studies reveal that formation of any type of stable transpososome, folded or unfolded, requires not only IHF but also non‐specific transposase–DNA contacts immediately internal to the IHF‐binding site, implying the occurrence of a topologically closed loop at the transposon end. Overall, transpososome assembly must proceed via a folded intermediate which, however, must be unfolded in order for intermolecular transposition to occur. These and other results support key features of a recently proposed model for transpososome assembly and morphogenesis.