title: Decatenation of DNA circles by FtsK-dependent Xer site-specific recombination.
abstract: DNA replication results in interlinked (catenated) sister duplex molecules as a consequence of the intertwined helices that comprise duplex DNA. DNA topoisomerases play key roles in decatenation. We demonstrate a novel, efficient and directional decatenation process in vitro, which uses the combination of the Escherichia coli XerCD site-specific recombination system and a protein, FtsK, which facilitates simple synapsis of dif recombination sites during its translocation along DNA. We propose that the FtsK-XerCD recombination machinery, which converts chromosomal dimers to monomers, may also function in vivo in removing the final catenation links remaining upon completion of DNA replication.
authors.affiliation: University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK.
authors.forename: Stephen C Y
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Ip
authors.forename: Migena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bregu
authors.forename: François-Xavier
authors.initials: FX
authors.lastname: Barre
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Sherratt
mesh_terms: D001665:Binding Sites; D004261:DNA Replication; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D043864:DNA, Catenated / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D019281:Dimerization; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000378:metabolism*; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D019426:Integrases / Q000737:chemistry*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008957:Models, Genetic; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D011995:Recombination, Genetic
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D043864:DNA, Catenated; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; C096452:FtsK protein, E coli; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C473360:XerC protein, E coli; D019426:Integrases; C473361:XerD protein, E coli