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Chi Sites and Their Consequences

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Bacterial Genomes

Abstract

Chi sites are octameric nucleotide sequences in DNA that stimulate the Rec-BCD pathway of homologous recombination in Escherichia coli. Stimulation is maximal at the Chi site, decreases approximately a factor of two for each 2–3 kb to one side, but is insignificant to the other side of Chi. Chi stimulates recombination by interaction with RecBCD enzyme, which has multiple enzymatic activities and multiple physiological roles in recombination, repair, and replication. Chi appears to be active throughout the enteric bacteria; other nucleotide sequences may similarly interact with RecBCD-like enzymes in other bacteria. This chapter reviews the properties of Chi, its interaction with RecBCD enzyme, and its occurrence on the chromosome of E. coli and other organisms.

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  1. Gerald R. Smith
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. DOE Plant Research Laboratory, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824-1312, USA

    Frans J. de Bruijn

  2. Department of Molecular & Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Room 609E, Houston, TX, 77030-3498, USA

    James R. Lupski

  3. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Medical School, 6431 Fannin, Houston, TX, USA, 77030

    George M. Weinstock

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Smith, G.R. (1998). Chi Sites and Their Consequences. In: de Bruijn, F.J., Lupski, J.R., Weinstock, G.M. (eds) Bacterial Genomes. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-6369-3_6

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