Bacillus subtilis homologous recombination: genes and products

Homologous recombination plays a critical role in maintaining gene diversif ication and genome stability. Fourteen Bacillus subtilis recombination gene products have been genetically characterised and classified into five diff erent epistatic groups. At least seven other recombination genes could be p redicted. Recombination gene products which define activities that help Rec A to process DNA repair and recombination have been studied, but those that processed recombination intermediates into products (post-synaptic stage) await elucidation. (C) 2000 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SA S.