Abstract
The patterns of male and female recombination vary greatly on a macro scale. A unique motif in each gender, triggering a double strand break at its location, much in the way Chi sites operate in E. coli, could logically explain this difference. As such, we have undertaken a comprehensive search of all small motifs in an attempt to identify one or more that match to the available data. In the end, we conclude that no such motifs appear to exist in the human genome.
Highlights
It has long been understood that in Escherichia coli the DNA sequence 59-GCTGGTGG-39, the so-called ‘‘Chi site,’’ is recognized by the RecBCD complex, and this short sequence is instrumental to localizing homologous recombination in bacteria [1]
Moving to 6-mers that best fit the pattern of recent female recombination, we find G-rich motifs
The presence of the Chi site in E. coli has always been the basis for speculation that a motif might act in a similar fashion in humans
Summary
It has long been understood that in Escherichia coli the DNA sequence 59-GCTGGTGG-39, the so-called ‘‘Chi site,’’ is recognized by the RecBCD complex, and this short sequence is instrumental to localizing homologous recombination in bacteria [1]. Encountering the Chi site appears to convert RecBCD’s behavior from DNA destruction to facilitating homologous recombination, and as a result the position of Chi sites is intimately tied to the position of homologous recombination events in E. The presence of a Chi site is mechanistically required in an E. Regions of that genome experiencing recombination will necessarily contain a Chi site. Whether or not there is a motif present in the human genome that localizes to recombination sites remains an open question
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