New Mechanism Discovered For DNA Recombination And Repair

Scientists have discovered that the RecA family recombinases function as a new type of rotary motor proteins to repair DNA damages. Homologous recombination (HR) is a mechanism that repairs damaged DNA with perfect accuracy, it utilizes the homologous sequence from a partner DNA as a template. This process involves the bringing together of 2 DNA molecules, a search for homologous sequences, and exchange of DNA strands.