The Srs2 helicase activity is stimulated by Rad51 filaments on dsDNA: implications for crossover incidence during mitotic recombination

Mol Cell. 2008 Feb 1;29(2):243-54. doi: 10.1016/j.molcel.2007.11.033.

Abstract

Saccharomyces cerevisiae Srs2 helicase was shown to displace Rad51 in vitro upon translocation on single-stranded DNA. This activity is sufficient to account for its antirecombination effect and for the elimination of otherwise dead-end recombination intermediates. Roles for the helicase activity are yet unknown. Because cells lacking Srs2 show increased incidence of mitotic crossovers, it was postulated that Srs2 promotes synthesis-dependent strand annealing (SDSA) by unwinding the elongating invading strand from the donor strand. We report here that synthetic DNA structures that mimic D loops are good substrates for the Srs2 helicase activity, that Srs2 translocates on RPA-coated ssDNA, and, furthermore, that the helicase activity is largely stimulated by the presence of Rad51 nucleoprotein filaments on double-stranded DNA. These properties strongly support the idea that Srs2 actively prevents crossovers by promoting SDSA.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Crossing Over, Genetic / physiology*
  • DNA Helicases / genetics
  • DNA Helicases / metabolism*
  • DNA, Fungal / genetics
  • DNA, Fungal / metabolism*
  • DNA, Single-Stranded / genetics
  • DNA, Single-Stranded / metabolism*
  • Mitosis / physiology
  • Rad51 Recombinase / genetics
  • Rad51 Recombinase / metabolism*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / enzymology*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • DNA, Fungal
  • DNA, Single-Stranded
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
  • SRS2 protein, S cerevisiae
  • RAD51 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Rad51 Recombinase
  • DNA Helicases