Genetic recombination is the formation of new arrangements of genetic information through exchange or rejoining of DNA segments. Homology-directed processes can begin at DNA breaks or gaps and coordinate strand exchange with repair or renewed DNA replication [1]. Recombination proteins form nucleoprotein filaments that promote pairing of related sequences and invasion of an intact DNA duplex [2]. At the chromosome level, recombination changes associations among alleles at different loci, reshuffling the combinations transmitted to descendants. Site-specific systems act at particular recognition sequences, where recombinases cleave and reconnect DNA strands to generate integration, excision, or inversion [3][4]. The participating sequences, their orientation, and the processing of DNA intermediates determine the resulting arrangement. Regulatory interactions restrict the timing and location of these molecular reactions [5].
- DNA rearrangement
- strand exchange
- recombinases
- genetic variation
References
- Stephen C Kowalczykowski; Initiation of genetic recombination and recombination-dependent replication. Trends Biochem. Sci. 2000, 25, 156-165, 10.1016/s0968-0004(00)01569-3.
- Peter Baumann; Stephen C West; Role of the human RAD51 protein in homologous recombination and double-stranded-break repair. Trends Biochem. Sci. 1998, 23, 247-251, 10.1016/s0968-0004(98)01232-8.
- N. H. Barton; B. Charlesworth; Why Sex and Recombination?. Science 1998, 281, 1986-1990, 10.1126/science.281.5385.1986.
- Nigel D.F. Grindley; Katrine L. Whiteson; Phoebe A. Rice; Mechanisms of Site-Specific Recombination. Annu. Rev. Biochem. 2006, 75, 567-605, 10.1146/annurev.biochem.73.011303.073908.
- David P. Mathiasen; Michael Lisby; Cell cycle regulation of homologous recombination inSaccharomyces cerevisiae. FEMS Microbiol. Rev. 2014, 38, 172-184, 10.1111/1574-6976.12066.