Assay for human Rad51-mediated DNA displacement loop formation

Homologous recombination is an important mechanism for the repair of damaged chromosomes, for preventing the demise of damaged replication forks, and for several other aspects of chromosome metabolism and maintenance. The homologous recombination reaction is mediated by the Rad51 recombinase. In the presence of ATP, Rad51 polymerizes on single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) to form a nucleoprotein filament that is commonly referred to as the "presynaptic filament." The presynaptic filament is capable of locating a homologous duplex DNA molecule and catalyzing invasion of the duplex to form a DNA displacement loop called the "D-loop." This protocol describes an in vitro D-loop assay that uses a radiolabeled ssDNA oligonucleotide and a nonlabeled homologous supercoiled duplex DNA as substrates, and agarose gel electrophoresis together with PhosphorImaging for product analysis. To enhance the efficiency of the D-loop reaction, an ancillary factor (the Hop2-Mnd1 complex or Rad54) is included in the reaction. This reconstituted system provides researchers a biochemical means to dissect the mechanisms of the homologous recombination machinery.