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Decatenation of DNA circles by FtsK‐dependent Xer site‐specific recombination
Author(s) -
Ip Stephen C. Y.,
Bregu Migena,
Barre FrançoisXavier,
Sherratt David J.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
the embo journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 7.484
H-Index - 392
eISSN - 1460-2075
pISSN - 0261-4189
DOI - 10.1093/emboj/cdg589
Subject(s) - biology , catenation , synapsis , dna , dna replication , chromosome segregation , recombinase , site specific recombination , recombination , genetics , microbiology and biotechnology , biophysics , chromosome , gene
DNA replication results in interlinked (catenated) sister duplex molecules as a consequence of the intertwined helices that comprise duplex DNA. DNA topoisomerases play key roles in decatenation. We demonstrate a novel, efficient and directional decatenation process in vitro , which uses the combination of the Escherichia coli XerCD site‐specific recombination system and a protein, FtsK, which facilitates simple synapsis of dif recombination sites during its translocation along DNA. We propose that the FtsK–XerCD recombination machinery, which converts chromosomal dimers to monomers, may also function in vivo in removing the final catenation links remaining upon completion of DNA replication.