Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 12, 2026
12:02
Molecular Evolution of the Tre Recombinase
Published on: May 29, 2008
Recombination: a frank view of exchanges and vice versa
1MS029 Rosentiel Center, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02454-9110, USA.
Current Opinion in Cell Biology
|May 10, 2000
Summary
Discoveries in double-strand break repair highlight links between recombination, DNA replication, and human cancer. Recent advances clarify the roles of key recombination proteins in these vital cellular processes.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Double-strand chromosome breaks are critical DNA lesions.
- Homologous and nonhomologous recombination are key repair pathways.
- Understanding these pathways is crucial for human health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advances in double-strand break repair.
- To highlight the connection between recombination and DNA replication.
- To explore the link between recombination and human cancer.
Main Methods:
- Biochemical approaches
- Genetic analyses
- Molecular biological techniques
- Cytological studies
Main Results:
- Significant progress in understanding recombination's role in DNA replication.
- Established links between recombination mechanisms and human cancer origins.
- Clarified functions of various recombination proteins.
Conclusions:
- Recombination is a vital process with implications for cancer development.
- Continued research using diverse methods is advancing the field.
- Further investigation into recombination proteins is warranted.
Related Concept Videos
01:34Crossing Over
Unlike mitosis, meiosis aims for genetic diversity in its creation of haploid gametes. Dividing germ cells first begin this process in prophase I, where each chromosome—replicated in S phase—is now composed of two sister chromatids (identical copies) joined centrally.
The homologous pairs of sister chromosomes—one from the maternal and one from the paternal genome—then begin to align alongside each other lengthwise, matching corresponding DNA positions in a process called synapsis.
In order to...
The homologous pairs of sister chromosomes—one from the maternal and one from the paternal genome—then begin to align alongside each other lengthwise, matching corresponding DNA positions in a process called synapsis.
In order to...
02:13Overview of Transposition and Recombination
Transposons make up a significant part of genomes of various organisms. Therefore, it is believed that transposition played a major evolutionary role in speciation by changing genome sizes and modifying gene expression patterns. For example, in bacteria, transposition can lead to conferring antibiotic resistance. Movement of transposable elements within the genetic pool of pathogenic bacteria can aid in transfer of antibiotic-resistant genetic elements. In eukaryotes, transposons can carry out...
02:53Conservative Site-specific Recombination and Phase Variation
Because the DNA segments are cut and reorganized in a direction-specific manner, site-specific recombination has emerged as an efficient genetic engineering technique. Flippase and Cyclization recombinases or Flp and Cre, respectively, are two members of the tyrosine recombinase family derived from bacteriophages, that are used to mediate site-specific DNA insertions, deletions, and targeted expression of proteins in mammalian cell lines.
The recognition sites for Cre recombinase called LoxP...
The recognition sites for Cre recombinase called LoxP...
02:32Exon Recombination
The evolution of new genes is critical for speciation. Exon recombination, also known as exon shuffling or domain shuffling, is an important means of new gene formation. It is observed across vertebrates, invertebrates, and in some plants such as potatoes and sunflowers. During exon recombination, exons from the same or different genes recombine and produce new exon-intron combinations, which might evolve into new genes.
Exon shuffling follows “splice frame rules.” Each exon has three reading...
Exon shuffling follows “splice frame rules.” Each exon has three reading...
01:34Crossing over
Unlike mitosis, meiosis aims for genetic diversity in its creation of haploid gametes. Dividing germ cells first begin this process in prophase I, where each chromosome—replicated in S phase—is now composed of two sister chromatids (identical copies) joined centrally.
The homologous pairs of sister chromosomes—one from the maternal and one from the paternal genome—then begin to align alongside each other lengthwise, matching corresponding DNA positions in a process called synapsis.
In order to...
The homologous pairs of sister chromosomes—one from the maternal and one from the paternal genome—then begin to align alongside each other lengthwise, matching corresponding DNA positions in a process called synapsis.
In order to...
01:30Crossing Over
Crossing over is the exchange of genetic information between homologous chromosomes during prophase I of meiosis I. Genetic recombination gives rise to allelic diversity in the newly formed daughter cells. In humans, crossing over produces genetically distinct haploid egg and sperm cells that undergo fertilization to produce unique offspring. Before cell division starts, the germ cell’s chromosome(s) undergo duplication in the S phase of the cell cycle. As the cells enter prophase I, duplicated...