Figure 6 - full size

 

Figure 6.
Figure 6 Model for RecOR recognition of stalled replication forks. Whereas the role of RecF in this process is still unclear, it is known to associate with DNA in an ATP-dependent fashion. Upon binding of RecOR to ssDNA–dsDNA junctions (step 2), we propose that interactions with RecF, SSB and/or DNA may cause a structural rearrangement of RecOR (e.g. one RecO and two RecR molecules may dissociate from the RecOR complex). RecF-dependent ATP hydrolysis may provide the necessary energy for this reorganisation (step 3) resulting in the formation of a stable complex between RecOR and the stalled replication fork (step 4). As a consequence, the assembled RecOR complex may initiate the displacement of SSB and thus facilitate the loading of RecA onto ssDNA, allowing for homologous recombination to take place (step 5).

The above figure is reprinted by permission from Macmillan Publishers Ltd: EMBO J (2007, 26, 3260-3271) copyright 2007.