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PMID: 8143797 Published · ppublish English Journal Article Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S. Review

Hotspots of homologous recombination.

Experientia ·Vol. 50 ·No. 3 ·1994-03-15 ·Pages 234-41

Smith GR

Abstract

Homologous recombination occurs at higher than average frequency at and near hotspots. Hotspots are special nucleotide sequences recognized by proteins that promote, directly or indirectly, a rate limiting step of recombination. This review focuses on two well-studied examples, the Chi sites of the bacterium Escherichia coli and the M26 site of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Chi, 5' G-C-T-G-G-T-G-G 3', is recognized by the RecBCD enzyme, which nicks the DNA near Chi and produces a 3'-ended single-stranded DNA 'tail'; this tail is a potent substrate for homologous pairing by RecA and single-stranded DNA binding proteins. M26, 5' A-T-G-A-C-G-T 3', is recognized by a heterodimeric protein and stimulates, by an as-yet-unknown mechanism, meiotic recombination at and near the ade6 gene. Additional hotspots in bacteria, fungi, and mammals enhance recombination directly or indirectly via a variety of mechanisms. Although hotspots are widespread among organisms, the biological role of their localized enhancement of recombination remains a matter of speculation.

MeSH Terms
Binding Sites Escherichia coli/genetics Exodeoxyribonuclease V Exodeoxyribonucleases/metabolism Recombination, Genetic Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid Schizosaccharomyces/genetics
Chemicals
Exodeoxyribonucleases Exodeoxyribonuclease V
Authors & Affiliations
1 authors, click to expand affiliations / ORCID
Smith G R
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington 98104.
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Article Info
Journal
Experientia
Abbr.
Experientia
ISSN
0014-4754
DOI
10.1007/BF01924006
Published
1994-03-15
Pages
234-41
Language
English
Region
Switzerland
NLM ID
0376547
Subset
IM
Grants
NIGMS NIH HHS · GM31693 · United States
External Links
PubMed source DOI: 10.1007/BF01924006
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