DNA Repair and Recombination Protein RAD54-like - Actions of HRAD54

Actions of HRAD54

The interaction between RAD54 and RAD51, another member of the RAD52 epistasis group, in humans is mediated by the N-terminal domain of the hRAD54 protein. This N-terminal end interacts with both the free and bound ends of the RAD51 protein. RAD54 moves along the length of the DNA, producing positive supercoils ahead of the replication protein movement and negative supercoils trailing the complex. The interaction with RAD51 enhances the ability of RAD54 to perform this supercoiling and strained opening activity. These proteins also work together to form DNA joints, with RAD54 specifically extending the joints and stabilizing the D-loops formed. An alternative function of RAD54 may be to remove RAD51 proteins after joints formation and recombination initiation has occurred.