Year: 1997
Type: article
Abstract: Xer site-specific recombination functions in maintaining circular replicons in the monomeric state in Escherichia coli. Two recombinases of the bacteriophage lambda integrase family, XerC and XerD, are required for recombination at the chromosomal site, dif, and at a range of plasmid-borne sites. Xer recombination core sites contain the 11-base pair binding sites for each recombinase separated by a 6 to 8-base pair central region. We report that both XerC and XerD act as site-specific type I topoisomerases by relaxing supercoiled plasmids containing a dif site. Relaxation by either XerC or XerD occurs in the absence of the partner recombinase and requires only a single recombination core site. XerC or XerD relaxation activities are completely inhibited by the addition of the partner recombinase, providing that the DNA recognition sequence for the inhibiting partner is present.
Source: Journal of Biological Chemistry
Authors: François Cornet, Bernard Hallet, David J. Sherratt
Institution: University of Oxford
Language: English
Subfield: Genetics
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,430
Funder: Wellcome Trust
OpenAlex ID: W2053286804