Control of Directionality in Lambda Site Specific Recombination

• DOI: 10.1126/science.2932798
• Publication Date: 2006-10-05T19:42:50Z
• Authors: Wade Bushman; John F. Thompson; Lina Vargas; Arthur Landy
• Keywords: Directionality; Site-specific recombination; Lambda phage

The simple relation between the substrates and products of site-specific recombination raises questions about control directionality often observed in this class DNA transactions. For bacteriophage lambda, viral integration excision proceed by discrete pathways, with intrinsic property recombining only one direction can be constructed. These pathways display an asymmetric reliance on a complex array protein binding sites, they respond differently to changes concentrations relevant proteins. Escherichia coli host factor (IHF) differentially affects integrative excisive recombination, thereby influencing directionality. A four- eightfold increase intracellular IHF coincides transition from exponential stationary phase; provides mechanism for growth phase-dependent regulation that makes cellular physiology part reaction.