Open AccessHuman Rad51 protein displays enhanced homologous pairing of DNA sequences resembling those at genetically unstable loci
Author(s) -
Erica M. Seitz,
Stephen C. Kowalczykowski
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
nucleic acids research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 9.008
H-Index - 537
eISSN - 1362-4954
pISSN - 0305-1048
DOI - 10.1093/nar/gkl355
Subject(s) - biology , rad51 , genetics , dna , homologous chromosome , homologous recombination , replication protein a , homo sapiens , genetic recombination , pairing , dna sequencing , genomic dna , dna binding protein , recombination , gene , transcription factor , superconductivity , physics , quantum mechanics , sociology , anthropology
DNA strand exchange, the central step of homologous recombination, is considered to occur approximately independently of DNA sequence content. However, certain prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomic loci display either an enhanced or reduced frequency of genetic exchange. Here we show that the Homo sapiens DNA strand exchange protein, HsRad51, shows a preference for binding to single-stranded DNA sequences primarily rich in G-residues and poor in A- and C-residues, and that these DNA sequences manifest enhanced HsRad51 protein-dependent homologous pairing. Both of these properties are common to all DNA strand exchange proteins examined thus far. These preferred DNA pairing sequences resemble those found at genetic loci in human cells that cause genomic instability and lead to genetic diseases.