Genetic recombination
From VASATWiki
Retrieved from Wikipedia::http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetic_recombination
Genetic recombination is the process by which a strand of DNA is broken and then joined to the end of a different DNA molecule. In eukaryotes recombination commonly occurs during meiosis, through chromosomal crossover between paired chromosomes. This process leads to offspring having different combinations of genes from their parents and can produce chimeric new alleles. In evolutionary biology this shuffling of genes is thought to have many advantages, including that of allowing sexually reproducing organisms to avoid Muller's ratchet.
In molecular biology "recombination" can also refer to artificial and deliberate recombination of disparate pieces of DNA, often from different organisms, creating what is called recombinant DNA.
Enzymes called recombinases Catalysis catalyze natural recombination reactions. RecA, the recombinase found in Escherichia coli E. coli, is responsible for the repair of DNA double strand breaks (DSBs). In yeast and other eukaryote eukaryotic organisms there are two recombinases required for repairing DSBs. The RAD51 protein is required for Mitosis mitotic and Meiosis meiotic recombination and the DMC1 (protein) DMC1 protein is specific to meiotic recombination. A recombination pathway in DNA is any way by which a broken DNA molecule is reconnected to form a whole DNA strand.
Related articles
Chromosomal crossover of Genetic recombination | Conservative site-specific recombination of Genetic recombination | external links for genetic recombination | References for genetic recombination |
