Recombination in adaptive mutation

Science. 1994 Apr 8;264(5156):258-60. doi: 10.1126/science.8146657.

Abstract

The genetic requirements for adaptive mutation in Escherichia coli parallel those for homologous recombination in the RecBCD pathway. Recombination-deficient recA and recB null mutant strains are deficient in adaptive reversion. A hyper-recombinagenic recD strain is hypermutable, and its hypermutation depends on functional recA and recB genes. Genes of subsidiary recombination systems are not required. These results indicate that the molecular mechanism by which adaptive mutation occurs includes recombination. No such association is seen for spontaneous mutation in growing cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • DNA Damage
  • DNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • Escherichia coli / genetics*
  • Escherichia coli Proteins*
  • Exodeoxyribonuclease V
  • Exodeoxyribonucleases / genetics
  • Frameshift Mutation
  • Genes, Bacterial
  • Lac Operon
  • Models, Genetic
  • Mutagenesis*
  • Rec A Recombinases / genetics
  • Recombination, Genetic*
  • Templates, Genetic

Substances

  • DNA, Bacterial
  • Escherichia coli Proteins
  • Rec A Recombinases
  • Exodeoxyribonucleases
  • Exodeoxyribonuclease V
  • exodeoxyribonuclease V, E coli