The Escherichia coli recA gene increases UV-induced mitotic gene conversion in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Abstract

The effect of the Escherichia coli RecA protein on mitotic recombination in the diploid D7 strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae damaged by UV radiation was investigated. The D7 strain was transformed by two modified versions of the pNF2 plasmid: one, containing the ADH-1 promoter, and the other containing the recA gene tandemly arranged behind the ADH-1 promoter region. Immunological analysis proved the presence of the 38-kDa RecA protein in D7/pNF2ADH recA transformants. We observed a positive effect of recA gene expression on mitotic gene conversion, mainly at higher doses of UV radiation. The results indicate that a RecA-like activity could participate in steps preceeding mitotic conversion events in yeast. © 1994 Springer-Verlag.