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. 1989 Mar;121(3):433–443. doi: 10.1093/genetics/121.3.433

Role of Recbc Function in Formation of Chromosomal Rearrangements: A Two-Step Model for Recombination

M J Mahan 1, J R Roth 1
PMCID: PMC1203631  PMID: 2714635

Abstract

The role of recBC functions has been tested for three types of chromosomal recombination events: (1) recombination between direct repeats to generate a deletion, (2) recombination between a small circular fragment and the chromosome, and (3) recombination between inversely oriented repeats to form an inversion. Deletion formation by recombination between direct repeats, which does not require a fully reciprocal exchange, is independent of recBC function. Circle integration and inversion formation are both stimulated by the recBC function; these events require full reciprocality. The results suggest that half-reciprocal exchanges can occur without recBC, but recBC functions greatly stimulate completion of a fully reciprocal exchange. We propose that chromosomal recombination is a two-step process, and recBC functions are primarily required for the second step.

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Selected References

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