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Does Chi give or take?

In lytic cycle crosses with Red-Gam-lambda phage, particles were examined that had undergone an Int-mediated exchange. It was assumed that this exchange dimerized the circular lambda, making it packageable. Among these Int-mediated recombinants, particles were identified that had, in addition, enjoyed a close double exchange mediated by the RecBC pathway. Such close double exchanges indicate localized negative interference and are analogous to eukaryotic conversions that have retained parental configuration of flanking markers. These events are stimulated by Chi, a recombinator specific to the RecBC pathway. When Chi is present in only one parent in the cross, the complementary double exchange recombinants are Chi stimulated to the same degree. This behavior of Chi contrasts with that of characterized eukaryotic recombinators.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Direction of travel of RecBC recombinase through bacteriophage lambda DNA.

We examined linkage relationships for RecBC-mediated recombination in lytic cycle crosses of lambda phages bearing two cohesive end sites (cos) oriented in the same direction. The relationships obtained imply that a given recombinant tends to be packaged from the cos site that is the nearer one to the right of the exchange. In view of the previously established coupling of entry of a recombinase at a cos cut and initiation of DNA packaging by that cos cut, these results imply that the recombinase (presumably the RecBC gene product) enters lambda's chromosome at the right end.

Bacteriophage lambda↗

The genetic dependence of recombination in recD mutants of Escherichia coli.

RecBCD enzyme has multiple activities including helicase, exonuclease and endonuclease activities. Mutations in the genes recB or recC, encoding two subunits of the enzyme, reduce the frequency of many types of recombinational events. Mutations in recD, encoding the third subunit, do not reduce recombination even though most of the activities of the RecBCD enzyme are severely reduced. In this study, the genetic dependence of different types of recombination in recD mutants has been investigated. The effects of mutations in genes in the RecBCD pathway (recA and recC) as well as the genes specific for the RecF pathway (recF, recJ, recN, recO, recQ, ruv and lexA) were tested on conjugational, transductional and plasmid recombination, and on UV survival. recD mutants were hyper-recombinogenic for all the monitored recombination events, especially those involving plasmids, and all recombination events in recD strains required recA and recC. In addition, unlike recD+ strains, chromosomal recombination events and the repair of UV damage to DNA in recD strains were dependent on one RecF pathway gene, recJ. Only a subset of the tested recombination events were affected by ruv, recN, recQ, recO and lexA mutations.

Chromosomes, Bacterial↗

Chain-bias of Escherichia coli Rec-mediated lambda patch recombinants is independent of the orientation of lambda cos.

Chi is a hotspot for homologous recombination mediated by the RecBCD (Rec) pathway of Escherichia coli. For Rec-mediated recombination of phage lambda, the orientation of lambda cos in the lambda chromosome dictates the direction of travel of RecBCD enzyme through DNA and dictates which orientation of Chi or Chi-like sequences will be active in stimulating recombination. I previously found that Rec-mediated lambda patch heteroduplexes, stimulated by Chi or not, are chain-biased; at the lambda P locus, recombinant information resides on the lambda r chain. This bias exists in the presence or absence of Chi sites. Reported herein is the finding that r-chain-bias at the P locus is independent of the orientation of lambda cos and thus also independent of the orientation of active Chi's or Chi-like sequences and of the direction of travel of RecBCD enzyme. These results disprove previously elaborated models in which a chain-specific nick at Chi initiates recombination, and imply that some other chain-distinguishing process is involved with recombination. Replication and transcription are candidates for such a process.

Bacteriophage lambda↗

Genetic dissection of the biochemical activities of RecBCD enzyme.

RecBCD enzyme of Escherichia coli is required for the major pathway of homologous recombination following conjugation. The enzyme has an ATP-dependent DNA unwinding activity, ATP-dependent single-stranded (ss) and double-stranded (ds) DNA exonuclease activities, and an activity that makes a ss DNA endonucleolytic cut near Chi sites. We have isolated and characterized ten mutations that reduced recombination proficiency and inactivated some, but not all, activities of RecBCD enzyme. One class of mutants had weak ds DNA exonuclease activity and lacked Chi-dependent DNA cleavage activity, a second class lacked only Chi-dependent DNA cleavage activity, and a third class retained all activities tested. The properties of these mutants indicate that the DNA unwinding and ss DNA exonuclease activities of the RecBCD enzyme are not sufficient for recombination. Furthermore, they suggest that the Chi-dependent DNA cleavage activity or another, as yet unidentified activity or both are required for recombination. The roles of the RecBCD enzymatic activities in recombination and exclusion of foreign DNA are discussed in light of the properties of these and other recBCD mutations.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Further tests of a recombination model in which chi removes the RecD subunit from the RecBCD enzyme of Escherichia coli.

When one of two infecting lambda phage types in a replication-blocked cross is chi + and DNA packaging is divorced from the RecBCD-chi interaction, complementary chi-stimulated recombinants are recovered equally in mass lysates only if the chi + parent is in excess in the infecting parental mixture. Otherwise, the chi 0 recombinant is recovered in excess. This observation implies that, along with the chi 0 chromosome, two chi + parent chromosomes are involved in the formation of each chi + recombinant. The trimolecular nature of chi +-stimulated recombination is manifest in recombination between lambda and a plasmid. When lambda recombines with a plasmid via the RecBCD pathway, the resulting chromosome has an enhanced probability of undergoing lambda x lambda recombination in the interval into which the plasmid was incorporated. These two observations support a model in which DNA is degraded by Exo V from cos, the sequence that determines the end of packaged lambda DNA and acts as point of entry for RecBCD enzyme, to chi, the DNA sequence that stimulates the RecBCD enzyme to effect recombination. The model supposes that chi acts by ejecting the RecD subunit from the RecBCD enzyme with two consequences. (1) ExoV activity is blocked leaving a highly recombinagenic, frayed duplex end near chi, and (2) as the enzyme stripped of the RecD subunit travels beyond chi it is competent to catalyze reciprocal recombination.

Crosses, Genetic↗

Heteroduplex chain polarity in recombination of phage lambda by the red, RecBCD, RecBC(D-) and RecF pathways.

We have examined the chain polarity of heteroduplex DNA in unreplicated, bacteriophage lambda splice recombinants when recombination was by the RecBCD, RecBC(D-), or RecF pathway of Escherichia coli or the Red pathway of lambda. For each of these pathways, recombination is activated by the cutting of cos that accompanies chromosome packaging, and is effected by recombination enzymes acting at the right end created by that cutting. For exchanges occurring near cos, one parent makes a lesser physical and genetic contribution than does the other. For each pathway, when the phage carried standard cos, this minority contribution was predominantly on the r chain, ending 5' at the right end of lambda. When standard cos was replaced by a cloned inverted cos located centrally on the standard lambda genetic map, minority contribution was predominantly on the l chain. In each case, the polarity of the overlap was usually that formed by 3' overhangs of parental information and material. These results are discussed in the context of current models of recombination for the different pathways.

Alleles↗

Chain bias in Chi-stimulated heteroduplex patches in the lambda ren gene is determined by the orientation of lambda cos.

Heteroduplex patch recombinants have received information in one DNA chain but have not recombined flanking markers. Evidence regarding which chain is exchanged bears on the structure of recombination intermediates. The direction of travel along DNA of RecBCD recombinase, the central enzyme in the Escherichia coli RecBCD pathway of homologous recombination, is determined in phage lambda by the orientation of the packaging origin, cos. cos is a double-chain cut site which serves as a preferred entry site for RecBCD. Using partially denaturing gels to resolve heteroduplex molecules, we have examined patch recombinants at the lambda ren gene. We report that the transferred information in Chi-stimulated patches at ren can occur on either chain, but is biased to the chain ending 5' at the right of the lambda map (the lambda r chain) in phage carrying cos in its normal orientation. The chain bias switches in favor of the chain that ends 3' at the right (the lambda l chain) when RecBCD travel direction is reversed by inverting cos. We entertain models that accommodate these and other results pertaining to the structure of RecBCD-mediated recombinants.

Bacteriophage lambda↗

Chi enhances heteroduplex DNA levels during recombination.

The major pathway of homologous recombination in Escherichia coli, the RecBCD pathway, is stimulated by Chi sites. To determine whether Chi enhances an early or late step in recombination, we measured formation of heteroduplex DNA (hDNA) in extracts of lambda-infected E. coli. Chi elevated hDNA levels in these extracts, supporting a role for Chi early (before hDNA formation) in recombination. RecA protein and RecBCD enzyme were both necessary for detection of hDNA, indicating that they, too, act early. Analysis of a panel of recBCD mutants indicated that Chi-nicking activity was needed for Chi's stimulation of hDNA formation. These results support a previously proposed model of recombination. Further results suggested that RecBCD enzyme has an additional role late in recombination.

Bacteriophage lambda↗

On the clustered exchanges of the RecBCD pathway operating on phage lambda.

Lytic cycle crosses of Red- Gam- phage lambda were conducted in rec+ Escherichia coli carrying one or another plasmid with homology to lambda. Lambda x lambda recombinants and lambda x plasmid recombinants were formed by RecBCD-mediated recombination. We showed previously that the act of recombining with a plasmid alters the disposition of selected lambda x lambda exchanges. This work reports that the relationships between the lambda x plasmid and the lambda x lambda exchanges is unaltered by the removal from one lambda parent of the homology shared with the plasmid. This result supports our view that a reciprocal exchange, allowing for cointegrate formation, is associated with but mechanistically separable from a (presumably) nonreciprocal lambda x lambda exchange. The nature of this relationship is independent of lambda's Rap function, which is shown to alter the ratio of cointegrate formation (splices) to marker pick-up (patches) in lambda x plasmid recombination mediated by the RecBCD pathway.

Bacteriophage lambda↗

Conjugational recombination in Escherichia coli: genetic analysis of recombinant formation in Hfr x F- crosses.

The formation of recombinants during conjugation between Hfr and F- strains of Escherichia coli was investigated using unselected markers to monitor integration of Hfr DNA into the circular recipient chromosome. In crosses selecting a marker located approximately 500 kb from the Hfr origin, 60-70% of the recombinants appeared to inherit the Hfr DNA in a single segment, with the proximal exchange located > 300 kb from the selected marker. The proportion of recombinants showing multiple exchanges increased in matings selecting more distal markers located 700-2200 kb from the origin, but they were always in the minority. This effect was associated with decreased linkage of unselected proximal markers. Mutation of recB, or recD plus recJ, in the recipient reduced the efficiency of recombination and shifted the location of the proximal exchange(s) closer to the selected marker. Mutation of recF, recO or recQ produced recombinants in which this exchange tended to be closer to the origin, though the effect observed was rather small. Up to 25% of recombinant colonies in rec+ crosses showed segregation of both donor and recipient alleles at a proximal unselected locus. Their frequency varied with the distance between the selected and unselected markers and was also related directly to the efficiency of recombination. Mutation of recD increased their number by twofold in certain crosses to a value of 19%, a feature associated with an increase in the survival of linear DNA in the absence of RecBCD exonuclease. Mutation of recN reduced sectored recombinants in these crosses to approximately 1% in all the strains examined, including recD. A model for conjugational recombination is proposed in which recombinant chromosomes are formed initially by two exchanges that integrate a single piece of duplex Hfr DNA into the recipient chromosome. Additional pairs of exchanges involving the excised recipient DNA, RecBCD enzyme and RecN protein, can subsequently modify the initial product to generate the spectrum of recombinants normally observed.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Marker-dependent recombination in T4 bacteriophage. IV. Recombinational effects of antimutator T4 DNA polymerase.

Recombinational effects of the antimutator allele tsL42 of gene 43 of phage T4, encoding DNA polymerase, were studied in crosses between rIIB mutants. Recombination under tsL42-restricted conditions differed from the normal one in several respects: (1) basic recombination was enhanced, especially within very short distances; (2) mismatch repair tracts were shortened, while the contribution of mismatch repair to recombination was not changed; (3) marker interference at very short distances was augmented. We infer that the T4 DNA polymerase is directly involved in mismatch repair, performing both excision of a nonmatched single strand (by its 3'-->5' exonuclease) and filling the resulting gap. A pathway for the mismatch repair was substantiated; it includes sequential action of endo VII (gp49)-->3'-->5' exonuclease (gp43)-->DNA polymerase (gp43)-->DNA ligase (gp30). It is argued that the marker interference at very short distances may result from the same sequence of events during the final processing of recombinational intermediates.

Alleles↗

DNA structures generated during recombination initiated by mismatch repair of UV-irradiated nonreplicating phage DNA in Escherichia coli: requirements for helicase, exonucleases, and RecF and RecBCD functions.

During infection of homoimmune Escherichia coli lysogens ("repressed infections"), undamaged nonreplicating lambda phage DNA circles undergo very little recombination. Prior UV irradiation of phages dramatically elevates recombinant frequencies, even in bacteria deficient in UvrABC-mediated excision repair. We previously reported that 80-90% of this UvrABC-independent recombination required MutHLS function and unmethylated d(GATC) sites, two hallmarks of methyl-directed mismatch repair. We now find that deficiencies in other mismatch-repair activities--UvrD helicase, exonuclease I, exonuclease VII, RecJ exonuclease--drastically reduce recombination. These effects of exonuclease deficiencies on recombination are greater than previously observed effects on mispair-provoked excision in vitro. This suggests that the exonucleases also play other roles in generation and processing of recombinagenic DNA structures. Even though dsDNA breaks are thought to be highly recombinagenic, 60% of intracellular UV-irradiated phage DNA extracted from bacteria in which recombination is low--UvrD-, ExoI-, ExoVII-, or Rec(J-)--displays (near-)blunt-ended dsDNA ends (RecBCD-sensitive when deproteinized). In contrast, only bacteria showing high recombination (Mut+ UvrD+ Exo+) generate single-stranded regions in nonreplicating UV-irradiated DNA. Both recF and recB recC mutations strikingly reduce recombination (almost as much as a recF recB recC triple mutation), suggesting critical requirements for both RecF and RecBCD activity. The mismatch repair system may thus process UV-irradiated DNA so as to initiate more than one recombination pathway.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Chi recombination activity in phage lambda decays as a function of genetic distance.

In Escherichia coli, chi is a recombination hotspot that stimulates RecBCD-dependent exchange at and to one side of itself. chi activity is highest at chi and decreases with distance from chi. The decrease in chi activity may be a simple property of the physical distance over which chi can stimulate recombination. Alternatively, the decay in chi activity with distance may reflect the high likelihood that chi-stimulated recombination occurs in a single chi-proximal act, to the exclusion of additional chi-stimulated exchanges more distal to chi. To test the models, we determined if chi activity decreases as a function of physical distance (i.e., DNA base pairs) or genetic distance (homologous DNA base pairs). Our results indicate that chi activity decays as a function of genetic distance. In addition, we found that the sbcB gene product (exonuclease I, a 3'-->5' ssDNA exonuclease) modulates the distance over which chi can act. In contrast, the recJ gene product (a 5'-->3' ssDNA exonuclease) does not alter the decay of chi activity.

Bacterial Proteins↗

The REC1 gene of Ustilago maydis, which encodes a 3'-->5' exonuclease, couples DNA repair and completion of DNA synthesis to a mitotic checkpoint.

Mutation in the REC1 gene of Ustilago maydis results in extreme sensitivity to killing by ultraviolet light. The lethality of the rec1-1 mutant was found to be partially suppressed if irradiated cells were held artificially in G2-phase by addition of a microtubule inhibitor. This mutant was also found to be sensitive to killing when DNA synthesis was inhibited by external means through addition of hydroxyurea or by genetic control in a temperature-sensitive mutant strain defective in DNA synthesis. Flow cytometric analysis of exponentially growing cultures indicated that wild-type cells accumulated in G2 after UV irradiation, while rec1-1 cells appeared to exit from G2 and accumulate in G1/S. Analysis of mRNA levels in synchronized cells indicated that the REC1 gene is periodically expressed with the cell cycle and reaches maximal levels at G1/S. The results are interpreted to mean that a G2-M checkpoint is disabled in the rec1-1 mutant. It is proposed that the REC1 gene product functions in a surveillance system operating during S-phase and G2 to find and repair stretches of DNA with compromised integrity and to communicate with the cell cycle apparatus.

Base Sequence↗

Bacteriophage T4 mutants hypersensitive to an antitumor agent that induces topoisomerase-DNA cleavage complexes.

Many antitumor agents and antibiotics affect cells by interacting with type II topoisomerases, stabilizing a covalent enzyme-DNA complex. A pathway of recombination can apparently repair this DNA damage. In this study, transposon mutagenesis was used to identify possible components of the repair pathway in bacteriophage T4. Substantial increases in sensitivity to the antitumor agent m-AMSA [4'-(9-acridinylamino)methanesulfon-m-anisidide] were found with transposon insertion mutations that inactivate any of six T4-encoded proteins: UvsY (DNA synaptase accessory protein), UvsW (unknown function), Rnh (RNase H and 5' to 3' DNA exonuclease), alpha-gt (alpha-glucosyl transferase), gp47.1 (uncharacterized), and NrdB (beta subunit of ribonucleotide reductase). The role of the rnh gene in drug sensitivity was further characterized. First, an in-frame rnh deletion mutation was constructed and analyzed, providing evidence that the absence of Rnh protein causes hypersensitivity to m-AMSA. Second, the m-AMSA sensitivity of the rnh-deletion mutant was shown to require a drug-sensitive T4 topoisomerase. Third, analysis of double mutants suggested that uvsW and rnh mutations impair a common step in the recombinational repair pathway for m-AMSA-induced damage. Finally, the rnh-deletion mutant was found to be hypersensitive to UV, implicating Rnh in recombinational repair of UV-induced damage.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Recombination-dependent growth in exonuclease-depleted recBC sbcBC strains of Escherichia coli K-12.

Analysis of the aroLM-sbcCD interval of the Escherichia coli K-12 chromosome revealed a new gene (rdgC) encoding a function required for growth in recombination-deficient recBC sbcBC strains. Deletion of rdgC does not reduce viability, conjugational recombination, or DNA repair in rec+, recA, recB, recF, or recJ mutants. However, it makes the growth of recBC sbcBC strains reliant on the RecA, RecF, and RuvC proteins and, to a large extent, on RuvAB. The recBC sbcBC delta rdgC ruvAB construct forms colonies, but cell viability is reduced to < 5%. A recBC sbcBC delta rdgC derivative carrying the temperature-sensitive recA200 allele grows at 32 degrees but not 42 degrees. Multicopy rdgC+ plasmids reduce the growth rate of recBC sbcBC strains, while multicopy sbcC+ plasmids that reactivate SbcCD nuclease cannot be maintained without RdgC protein. The data presented are interpreted to suggest that exonuclease-depleted recBC sbcBC strains have difficulty removing the displaced arm of a collapsed replication fork and that this problem is compounded in the absence of RdgC. Recombination then becomes necessary to repair the fork and allow chromosome duplication to be completed. The possibility that RdgC is an exonuclease is discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗