Recombinant thermus aquaticus RecA protein

Supplementary information

This supplementary information is collated from multiple sources and compiled automatically.

The protein RecA also known as protein recA My RecA or BB RecA plays a significant role in DNA repair and homologous recombination. RecA has a molecular mass of approximately 38 kilodaltons and is highly conserved among various species including in bacteria E. coli. It features ATPase activity allowing it to bind and hydrolyze ATP to facilitate its functions. RecA is expressed widely in bacterial cells where it forms a filament with single-stranded DNA to initiate repair processes.

Biological function summary

RecA performs several critical functions in maintaining genetic stability. It facilitates homologous pairing and strand exchange essential during DNA repair and recombination events. RecA operates as part of a nucleoprotein filament a complex formed during its interaction with single-stranded DNA. Additionally it activates the autocatalytic cleavage of the LexA repressor which induces the SOS response in bacteria following DNA damage. This response includes the upregulation of various DNA repair enzymes contributing to cell survival under stress conditions.

Pathways

RecA integrates into cellular processes like the SOS response and homologous recombination. In the SOS response pathway it regulates the cleavage of the LexA repressor protein resulting in the induction of DNA repair genes. In homologous recombination RecA mediates the search for homologous sequences and promotes strand invasion leading to genetic exchange. RecA interacts with proteins such as RuvA and RuvB which assist in branch migration and resolution of recombination intermediates.

RecA-related functions can provide insights into bacterial pathogenicity and stress resistance. Deficiencies in RecA function may result in increased susceptibility to DNA damage affecting bacteria's ability to survive under environmental stresses. While not directly linked to human diseases understanding RecA's mechanisms informs the development of antimicrobial strategies targeting bacterial resistance. Proteins involved in similar repair pathways such as Rad51 in eukaryotes offer parallels for comparing DNA repair processes across different organisms and help in understanding bacterial resilience and persistence.