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Bacterial DNA repair: recent insights into the mechanism of RecBCD, AddAB and AdnAB

Nature Reviews Microbiology volume 11, pages 9–13 (2013)Cite this article

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Abstract

In bacteria, the processing of double-strand DNA breaks is mediated by the RecBCD, AddAB and AdnAB complexes. These multisubunit helicase–nuclease machines resect the DNA ends and load RecA protein to initiate homologous recombination. Recent studies have revealed fascinating insights into the molecular mechanisms of this process and the evolution of these machines.

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Figure 1: Processing of DNA ends by RecBCD.
Figure 2: A model for our current understanding of how RecBCD responds to Chi.
Figure 3: Evolution of a DNA break-processing machine.

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Acknowledgements

D.B.W. is funded by Cancer Research UK and the Wellcome Trust.

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  1. Dale B. Wigley is at the Division of Structural Biology, Chester Beatty Laboratories, Institute of Cancer Research, 237 Fulham Road, London SW3 6JB, UK. Dale.Wigley@icr.ac.uk,

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Wigley, D. Bacterial DNA repair: recent insights into the mechanism of RecBCD, AddAB and AdnAB. Nat Rev Microbiol 11, 9–13 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrmicro2917

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