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Homologous pairing can occur before DNA strand separation in general genetic recombination

Nature volume 290, pages 29–33 (1981)Cite this article

Abstract

In the presence of ATP and Mg2+, purified Escherichia coli recA protein promotes the formation of joint molecules between closed circular duplex DNA and homologous circular single-stranded DNA carrying a short annealed fragment. The presence of this fragment is essential for pairing between molecules. In similar conditions recA protein is unable to act as a helicase and does not cause strand separation of the fragment from the single-stranded circle. Thus, homologous pairing between DNA molecules can take place without prior unwinding of a free end.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, and Therapeutic Radiology, Yale University, PO Box 6666, New Haven, Connecticut, 06511, USA

    Stephen C. West, Era Cassuto & Paul Howard-Flanders

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  1. Stephen C. West
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  2. Era Cassuto
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  3. Paul Howard-Flanders
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West, S., Cassuto, E. & Howard-Flanders, P. Homologous pairing can occur before DNA strand separation in general genetic recombination. Nature 290, 29–33 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1038/290029a0

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