Novel mutations in the RAD3 and SSL1 genes perturb genome stability by stimulating recombination between short repeats in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Abstract

Maintaining genome stability requires that recombination between repetitive sequences be avoided. Because short, repetitive sequences are the most abundant, recombination between sequences that are below a certain length are selectively restricted. Novel alleles of the RAD3 and SSL1 genes, which code for components of a basal transcription and UV-damage-repair complex in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, have been found to stimulate recombination between short, repeated sequences. In double mutants, these effects are suppressed, indicating that the RAD3 and SSL1 gene products work together in influencing genome stability. Genetic analysis indicates that this function is independent of UV-damage repair and mutation avoidance, supporting the notion that RAD3 and SSL1 together play a novel role in the maintenance of genome integrity.