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Related Concept Videos

Homologous Recombination02:31

Homologous Recombination

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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...
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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,...
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Conservative Site-specific Recombination and Phase Variation02:53

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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.
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Other than maintaining genome stability via DNA repair, homologous recombination plays an important role in diversifying the genome. In fact, the recombination of sequences forms the molecular basis of genomic evolution. Random and non-random permutations of genomic sequences create a library of new amalgamated sequences. These newly formed genomes can determine the fitness and survival of cells. In bacteria, homologous and non-homologous types of recombination lead to the evolution of new...
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Organisms are capable of detecting and fixing nucleotide mismatches that occur during DNA replication. This sophisticated process requires identifying the new strand and replacing the erroneous bases with correct nucleotides. Mismatch repair is coordinated by many proteins in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
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Single-Molecule Förster Resonance Energy Transfer Methods for Real-Time Investigation of the Holliday Junction Resolution by GEN1
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Holliday junction resolvases.

Haley D M Wyatt1, Stephen C West1

  • 1London Research Institute, Cancer Research UK, Clare Hall Laboratories, South Mimms, Herts EN6 3LD, United Kingdom.

Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology
|September 4, 2014
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Holliday junctions (HJs) are vital DNA structures that must be resolved by HJ resolvases for proper chromosome segregation. This review covers HJ structure, resolution mechanisms, and key resolvases across diverse organisms.

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Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Holliday junctions (HJs) are four-way DNA structures critical for homologous recombination during meiosis and mitosis.
  • The resolution of HJs by specialized endonucleases (HJ resolvases) is essential for accurate chromosome segregation.
  • HJ resolvases are conserved across bacteria, archaea, bacteriophages, and eukaryotes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the fundamental structure of Holliday junctions.
  • To discuss the mechanisms of HJ resolution by structure-selective endonucleases.
  • To provide an overview of characterized HJ resolvases from various domains of life.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on HJ structure and function.
  • Analysis of biochemical and structural data for various HJ resolvases.
  • Comparative discussion of HJ resolution pathways.

Main Results:

  • Holliday junctions exhibit unique structural features enabling recognition by specific enzymes.
  • HJ resolvases employ diverse mechanisms to cleave HJs, ensuring proper DNA repair and segregation.
  • Conserved RuvABC enzymes in eubacteria serve as a model for understanding HJ resolution in other organisms.

Conclusions:

  • HJ resolution is a fundamental process conserved across life.
  • Understanding HJ resolvases provides insights into DNA repair and genome stability.
  • Further research into diverse HJ resolvases can reveal novel enzymatic mechanisms and therapeutic targets.