DNA sequence alignment by microhomology sampling during homologous recombination

Cell. 2015 Feb 26;160(5):856-869. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2015.01.029. Epub 2015 Feb 12.

Abstract

Homologous recombination (HR) mediates the exchange of genetic information between sister or homologous chromatids. During HR, members of the RecA/Rad51 family of recombinases must somehow search through vast quantities of DNA sequence to align and pair single-strand DNA (ssDNA) with a homologous double-strand DNA (dsDNA) template. Here, we use single-molecule imaging to visualize Rad51 as it aligns and pairs homologous DNA sequences in real time. We show that Rad51 uses a length-based recognition mechanism while interrogating dsDNA, enabling robust kinetic selection of 8-nucleotide (nt) tracts of microhomology, which kinetically confines the search to sites with a high probability of being a homologous target. Successful pairing with a ninth nucleotide coincides with an additional reduction in binding free energy, and subsequent strand exchange occurs in precise 3-nt steps, reflecting the base triplet organization of the presynaptic complex. These findings provide crucial new insights into the physical and evolutionary underpinnings of DNA recombination.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism
  • Chromosome Pairing
  • DNA Repair
  • DNA, Single-Stranded / metabolism
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Homologous Recombination*
  • Rad51 Recombinase / metabolism*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / enzymology
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / metabolism*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / metabolism*
  • Sequence Alignment

Substances

  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • DMC1 protein, S cerevisiae
  • DNA, Single-Stranded
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
  • RAD51 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Rad51 Recombinase