Viewing single lambda site-specific recombination events from start to finish.

ABSTRACT: The site-specific recombination pathway by which the bacteriophage lambda chromosome is excised from its Escherichia coli host chromosome is a tightly regulated, highly directional, multistep reaction that is executed by a series of multiprotein complexes. Until now, it has been difficult to study the individual steps of such reactions in the context of the entire pathway. Using single-molecule light microscopy, we have examined this process from start to finish. Stable bent-DNA complexes containing integrase and the accessory proteins IHF (integration host factor) and Xis form rapidly on attL and attR recombination partners, and synapsis of partner complexes follows rapidly after their formation. Integrase-mediated DNA cleavage before or immediately after synapsis is required to stabilize

SUBMITTER: Mumm JP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1590000 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature