Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 28, 2026
09:16
In Vitro Directed Evolution of a Restriction Endonuclease with More Stringent Specificity
Published on: March 25, 2020
Ensuring an exit strategy: RTEL1 restricts rogue recombination.
1Departments of Developmental Biology and Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. villen@cmgm.stanford.edu
Cell
|October 30, 2008
Summary
Homologous recombination DNA repair requires both recombinases and antirecombinases. A newly identified antirecombinase activity is crucial for maintaining genome stability in animals.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Homologous recombination (HR) is a critical DNA repair pathway.
- HR relies on recombinases to initiate strand invasion and antirecombinases to resolve intermediates.
- The precise mechanisms and identities of antirecombinases have remained partially understood.
Discussion:
- Barber et al. (2008) report the identification of a novel antirecombinase activity.
- This activity plays a vital role in dismantling DNA recombination intermediates.
- Understanding antirecombinase function is key to comprehending DNA repair fidelity.
Key Insights:
- A previously elusive antirecombinase has been characterized.
- This antirecombinase is essential for successful completion of homologous recombination repair.
- The findings highlight a new player in maintaining genome stability.
Outlook:
- Further research into antirecombinase function could reveal new therapeutic targets for genome instability disorders.
- Investigating the molecular mechanisms of this antirecombinase will enhance our understanding of DNA repair.
- This discovery opens avenues for exploring the broader roles of antirecombinases in eukaryotic cells.
Related Concept Videos
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...
02:37Restarting Stalled Replication Forks
DNA replication is initiated at sites containing predefined DNA sequences known as origins of replication. DNA is unwound at these sites by the minichromosome maintenance (MCM) helicase and other factors such as Cdc45 and the associated GINS complex.The unwound single strands are protected by replication protein A (RPA) until DNA polymerase starts synthesizing DNA at the 5’ end of the strand in the same direction as the replication fork. To prevent the replication fork from falling apart, a...
02:31Homologous Recombination
The basic reaction of homologous recombination (HR) involves two chromatids that contain DNA sequences sharing a significant stretch of identity. One of these sequences uses a strand from another as a template to synthesize DNA in an enzyme-catalyzed reaction. The final product is a novel amalgamation of the two substrates. To ensure an accurate recombination of sequences, HR is restricted to the S and G2 phases of the cell cycle. At these stages, the DNA has been replicated already and the...
02:31Homologous Recombination
The basic reaction of homologous recombination (HR) involves two chromatids that contain DNA sequences sharing a significant stretch of identity. One of these sequences uses a strand from another as a template to synthesize DNA in an enzyme-catalyzed reaction. The final product is a novel amalgamation of the two substrates. To ensure an accurate recombination of sequences, HR is restricted to the S and G2 phases of the cell cycle. At these stages, the DNA has been replicated already and the...
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...
01:11Restriction Enzymes
Restriction enzymes are bacterial enzymes used to cut DNA in a sequence-specific manner. To cleave DNA, they bind to specific palindromic sequences called restriction sites. Such palindromic DNA sequences or inverted repeats are commonly found in regions of functional significance, such as the origin of replication, gene operator sites, and regions containing transcription termination signals.
The host bacteria protect their own genomic DNA from these enzymes by methylating these sites. Some...
The host bacteria protect their own genomic DNA from these enzymes by methylating these sites. Some...