The biochemisrty of meiosis and genetic recombination

Abstract

Evidence is presented for three important DNA metabolic processes which may direct genetic recombination events during meiosis. These processes are: 1) DNA breakage and repair, 2) facilitated interaction between homologous DNA molecules and 3) formation of biparental recombinant molecules. All of these processes are postulated to occur during the meiotic prophase stages when homologous chromosomes are paired. Successful recombination is considered to be both the infrequent outcome of many DNA breakage and repair events and the product of DNA-DNA interactions.