The Caenorhabditis elegans RAD51 homolog is transcribed into two alternative mRNAs potentially encoding proteins of different sizes

In prokaryotes, the RecA protein plays a pivotal role in homologous recombi nation, catalyzing the transfer of a single DNA strand into an homologous m olecule. Structural homologs of the bacterial RecA protein, called Rad51, h ave been found in different eukaryotes (from yeast to man), suggesting a ce rtain level of conservation in recombination pathways among living organism s. We have cloned the homolog of RAD51 in Caenorhabditis elegans. The CeRAD 51 gene is transcribed into two alternative mRNAs and potentially codes for two proteins of 395 and 357 amino acids in length, respectively. We discus s the evolutionary implications of these findings.