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Published online
doi:10.1083/jcb.200810055
The Journal of Cell Biology, Vol. 185, No. 6, 969-981
The Rockefeller University Press, 0021-9525 $30.00
© Burgess et al.
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Article

Localization of recombination proteins and Srs2 reveals anti-recombinase function in vivo



Rebecca C. Burgess1,6, Michael Lisby2, Veronika Altmannova3, Lumir Krejci3,4, Patrick Sung5, and Rodney Rothstein6

1 Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027
2 Department of Molecular Biology, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
3 National Center for Biomolecular Research, and 4 Department of Biology, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
5 Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520
6 Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032

Correspondence to Rodney Rothstein: rothstein{at}cancercenter.columbia.edu

Homologous recombination (HR), although an important DNA repair mechanism, is dangerous to the cell if improperly regulated. The Srs2 "anti-recombinase" restricts HR by disassembling the Rad51 nucleoprotein filament, an intermediate preceding the exchange of homologous DNA strands. Here, we cytologically characterize Srs2 function in vivo and describe a novel mechanism for regulating the initiation of HR. We find that Srs2 is recruited separately to replication and repair centers and identify the genetic requirements for recruitment. In the absence of Srs2 activity, Rad51 foci accumulate, and surprisingly, can form in the absence of Rad52 mediation. However, these Rad51 foci do not represent repair-proficient filaments, as determined by recombination assays. Antagonistic roles for Rad52 and Srs2 in Rad51 filament formation are also observed in vitro. Furthermore, we provide evidence that Srs2 removes Rad51 indiscriminately from DNA, while the Rad52 protein coordinates appropriate filament reformation. This constant breakdown and rebuilding of filaments may act as a stringent quality control mechanism during HR.


Abbreviations used in this paper: DSB, double-strand break; dsDNA, double-stranded DNA; HR, homologous recombination; HU, hydroxyurea; IR, ionizing radiation; PCNA, proliferating cell nuclear antigen; RPA, replication protein A; ssDNA, single-stranded DNA.

© 2009 Burgess et al.
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