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Related Experiment Videos

Xer site-specific recombination. DNA strand rejoining by recombinase XerC.

I Grainge1, D J Sherratt

  • 1Division of Molecular Genetics, Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, United Kingdom.

The Journal of Biological Chemistry
|February 26, 1999
PubMed
Summary
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The XerC and XerD recombinases maintain stable DNA in E. coli. Isolated XerC-DNA complexes show that XerC alone can rejoin DNA strands, a key step in recombination.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Xer site-specific recombination is crucial for maintaining circular DNA molecules (replicons) in Escherichia coli.
  • The Xer system involves two related recombinase proteins, XerC and XerD, which perform DNA cleavage, strand exchange, and rejoining.
  • Understanding the catalytic mechanisms of these recombinases is essential for comprehending DNA replication and stability.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the rejoining activity of the XerC recombinase.
  • To determine if XerC can catalyze DNA strand rejoining independently of XerD.
  • To analyze the role of covalent XerC-DNA complexes in the recombination process.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of isolated covalent XerC-DNA complexes formed after DNA cleavage reactions.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Utilizing Holliday junction substrates to study recombination intermediates.
  • Assessing the rejoining competence of these complexes in vitro.

    • Main Results:

    • Isolated covalent XerC-DNA complexes are capable of catalyzing DNA strand rejoining.
    • XerC can perform the rejoining step autonomously, without the need for other proteins.
    • This contrasts with the cleavage reaction, which requires both XerC and XerD, with one activating the other.

    Conclusions:

    • The XerC recombinase possesses intrinsic catalytic activity for DNA strand rejoining.
    • Covalent XerC-DNA complexes represent active intermediates competent for DNA repair and maintenance.
    • The Xer recombination system exhibits a modular mechanism where individual recombinases can perform distinct catalytic steps.