title: RecFOR and RecOR as distinct RecA loading pathways.
abstract: The molecular role of the RecF protein in loading RecA protein onto single-stranded DNA (ssDNA)-binding protein-coated ssDNA has been obscured by the facility with which the RecO and RecR proteins alone perform this function. We now show that RecFOR and RecOR define distinct RecA loading functions that operate optimally in different contexts. RecFOR, but not RecOR, is most effective when RecF(R) is bound near an ssDNA/double-stranded (dsDNA) junction. However, RecF(R) has no enhanced binding affinity for such a junction. RecO and RecR proteins are both required under all conditions in which the RecFOR pathway operates. The RecOR pathway is uniquely distinguished by a required interaction between RecO protein and the ssDNA binding protein C terminus. The RecOR pathway is more efficient for RecA loading onto ssDNA when no proximal dsDNA is available. A merger of new and published results leads to a new model for RecFOR function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706-1544.
authors.forename: Akiko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sakai
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706-1544. Electronic address: cox@Biochem.wisc.edu.
authors.forename: Michael M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Cox
mesh_terms: D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D001483:Base Sequence; D017931:DNA Primers; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded / Q000378:metabolism; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D024202:Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay; D011938:Rec A Recombinases / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D017931:DNA Primers; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C066218:recF protein, Bacteria; D011938:Rec A Recombinases