Mechanisms and principles of homology search during recombination.
Homologous recombination is crucial for genome stability and for genetic exchange. Although our knowledge of the principle steps in recombination and its machinery is well advanced, homology search, the critical step of exploring the genome for homologous sequences to enable recombination, has remained mostly enigmatic. However, recent methodological advances have provided considerable new insights into this fundamental step in recombination that can be integrated into a mechanistic model. These advances emphasize the importance of genomic proximity and nuclear organization for homology search and the critical role of homology search mediators in this process. They also aid our understanding of how homology search might lead to unwanted and potentially disease-promoting recombination events.
1] Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, 82152 Martinsried, Germany. [2] Institute of Science and Technology (IST) Austria, 3400 Klosterneuburg, Austria. [3].
Jörg
J
Renkawitz
1] Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, 82152 Martinsried, Germany. [2].
Claudio A
CA
Lademann
Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, 82152 Martinsried, Germany.
Stefan
S
Jentsch
D000818:Animals; D002875:Chromosomes / Q000235:genetics*; D004249:DNA Damage; D004260:DNA Repair; D042822:Genomic Instability / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D011995:Recombination, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*