Reconstituting the 4-Strand DNA Strand Exchange
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 14, 2026

Real-time Observation of the DNA Strand Exchange Reaction Mediated by Rad51
Published on: February 13, 2019
Olga M Mazina1, Alexander V Mazin1
1Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
Abstract:
Proteins of the Rad51 family play a key role in homologous recombination by carrying out DNA strand exchange. Here, we present the methodology and the protocols for the 4-strand exchange between gapped circular DNA and homologous linear duplex DNA promoted by human Rad51 and Escherichia coli RecA orthologs. This reaction includes formation of joint molecules and their extension by branch migration in a polar manner. The presented methodology may be used for reconstitution of the medial-to-late stages of homologous recombination in vitro as well as for investigation of the mechanisms of branch migration by helicase-like proteins, e.g., Rad54, BLM, or RecQ1.
More Related Videos
13:46Separation of Single-stranded DNA, Double-stranded DNA and RNA from an Environmental Viral Community Using Hydroxyapatite Chromatography
Published on: September 29, 2011
08:53Strand-Specific Analysis of Proteins at Replicating DNA Strands by Enrichment and Sequencing of Protein-Associated Nascent DNA Method
Published on: May 2, 2025
Related Concept Videos
Lagging Strand Synthesis
There are several major differences between synthesis of the leading strand and synthesis of the lagging strand. 1) Leading strand synthesis happens in the direction of replication fork opening, whereas lagging strand synthesis happens in the...
Lagging Strand Synthesis
Fixing Double-strand Breaks
Fixing Double-strand Breaks
Single-Strand DNA Binding Proteins
DNA Replication
Replication in Prokaryotes
DNA replication...