Formation and resolution of recombination intermediates by E. coli RecA and RuvC proteins.

Abstract

The recombination of DNA molecules has been reconstituted in vitro using two purified enzymes from Escherichia coli. RecA protein catalyses homologous pairing and strand exchange reactions to form intermediate DNA structures that are acted upon by RuvC. The newly identified RuvC protein resolves the intermediates by specific endonucleolytic cleavage to produce recombinant DNA molecules