Chapter 15 - Homologous and Site-specific Recombination Flashcards
Homologous Recombination definition
Exchange between similar (homologous) sequence of DNA.
In eukaryotes, common during meiosis.
Site-specific Recombination
Exchange between specific pairs of sequences. The two sites may or may not have same sequence (be homologous).
In prokaryotes, dif site to resolve catenated chromosomes.
Somatic Recombination
Exchange that occurs in non-germ cells that often leads to the generation of new genes.
Non-homologous Recombination (Recombination Repair)
Ligates blunt ends due to double strand breaks.
No crossing between the A and B gene loci in homologous recombination
= Only non-recombinant gametes
Crossing between the A and B gene loci in homologous recombination
= Both non- and recombinant gametes.
hotspot
Site in the genome at which the frequency of mutation (or recombination) is very much increased relative to neighboring sites.
Sister chromatid
Each of two identical copies of a replicated chromosome. As long as two copies remain linked at the centromere. Sister chromatids separate during anaphase in mitosis or anaphase II in meiosis.
Bivalent
The structure containing all four chromatids (two for each homolog) at the start of meiosis.
Synapsis
Association of the two pairs of sister chromatids (representing homologous chromosomes) that occurs at the start of meiosis.
Resulting structure is a bivalent.
Synaptonemal complex
Protein structure that forms between synapsed homologous chromosomes that is believed to be necessary for recombination to occur.
Chiasmata
Sites at which two homologous chromosomes have exchanged material during meiosis.
During the early part of meiosis,
homologous chromosomes are paired in the
synaptonemal complex.
The synaptonemal complex brings
chromosomes into juxtaposition.
Axial element
A proteinaceous structure around which the chromosomes condense at the start of synapsis; transition to the tripartite synaptonemal complex.
Lateral element
A structure in the synaptonemal complex that forms when a pair of sister chromatids condenses on to an axial element.
Central element
A structure that lies in the middle of the synaptonemal complex, along which the lateral elements
Cohesions
Connect sister chromatids so that they segregate
properly at mitosis or meiosis; form the lateral
elements.
Zip proteins
Transverse and link together to form the synaptonemal
complex; form the central element.
What initiates recombination?
Double-stranded breaks.
Spo11 protein
Initiates a double-stranded break during meiosis. 5’ ends are covalently bound to Spo11.
In mitotic cells, DSB occur most commonly
via DNA damage.
Exonuclease action generates
3’ single-stranded ends (or 3’-overhangs) that invade the other (donor) duplex.
D-loop
Displacement loop; loop of displaced DNA generated by strand invasion and extension during homologous recombination.
Double-strand breaks (DSB)
Breaks that occur when both strands of DNA duplex are cleaved at the same sites.
Initiates recombination.
(Also repair systems act on breaks created at other times).
5’-end resection
Generation of 3’ overhanging single-stranded regions that occurs via exonucleolytic digestion of the 5’ ends at a double-stranded break.