title: Dynamic formation of RecA filaments at DNA double strand break repair centers in live cells.
abstract: We show that RecN protein is recruited to a defined DNA double strand break (DSB) in Bacillus subtilis cells at an early time point during repair. Because RecO and RecF are successively recruited to DSBs, it is now clear that dynamic DSB repair centers (RCs) exist in prokaryotes. RecA protein was also recruited to RCs and formed highly dynamic filamentous structures, which we term threads, across the nucleoids. Formation of RecA threads commenced approximately 30 min after the induction of DSBs, after RecN recruitment to RCs, and disassembled after 2 h. Time-lapse microscopy showed that the threads rapidly changed in length, shape, and orientation within minutes and can extend at 1.02 microm/min. The formation of RecA threads was abolished in recJ addAB mutant cells but not in each of the single mutants, suggesting that RecA filaments can be initiated via two pathways. Contrary to proteins forming RCs, DNA polymerase I did not form foci but was present throughout the nucleoids (even after induction of DSBs or after UV irradiation), suggesting that it continuously scans the chromosome for DNA lesions.
authors.affiliation: Biochemie, Fachbereich Chemie, Hans-Meerwein-Strasse, Philipps-Universität Marburg, 35032 Marburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Dawit
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kidane
authors.forename: Peter L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Graumann
mesh_terms: D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000502:physiology*; D004256:DNA Polymerase I / Q000378:metabolism; D004260:DNA Repair / Q000502:physiology*; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes / Q000378:metabolism; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D009154:Mutation; D021381:Protein Transport; D011938:Rec A Recombinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D004247:DNA; C066218:recF protein, Bacteria; D011938:Rec A Recombinases; D004256:DNA Polymerase I; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes; C047879:RecN protein, Bacteria