General Recombination

Abstract

Recombination has been studied in phage λ for two principal reasons: (1) Recombination plays a central role in the life cycle of λ, and (2) the experimental tractability of λ has provided a fruitful means for studying the molecular mechanism of this process shared by nearly all organisms. There are close connections between recombination and replication in λ, as well as numerous interactions between the viral and host functions mediating these processes. Sorting out these complex relations has led to our understanding these processes at least as thoroughly in λ and Escherichia coli as in any other organism.

This paper reviews several recombination pathways available to λ, the genes and enzymes associated with these pathways, and the roles of recombination and replication in the growth of λ. Study of these processes led to the discovery of special sites in λ that enhance general recombination. After consideration of studies bearing on the molecular mechanisms of recombination, some current models of recombination are discussed in terms of enzymes and sites promoting recombination.

Signer (1971) has reviewed many of the early investigations of recombination in λ. Several subsequent reviews have dealt with various aspects of recombination, many of which involve λ and E. coli (Clark 1973; Radding 1973, 1978, 1982; Broker and Doermann 1975; Miller 1975; Fox 1978; Low and Porter 1978; Stahl 1979a, b; Dressler and Potter 1982; Whitehouse 1982).

PATHWAYS OF RECOMBINATION
Several pathways of recombination are available to λ. Two of these, the Int and Red pathways, require phage-encoded functions,...