Recombinant Escherichia coli DNA replication and repair protein RecF (recF)

Amino acids 2-357 form the expressed segment for recombinant Escherichia coli (strain K12) recF. The theoretical molecular weight of the recF protein is 56.4 kDa. Expression of this recF protein is conducted in e.coli. The N-terminal 6xHis-SUMO tag was smoothly integrated into the coding gene of recF, which enables a simple process of detecting and purifying the recF recombinant protein in the following steps.

The Escherichia coli DNA replication and repair protein RecF plays a crucial role in maintaining genomic integrity by participating in various aspects of DNA metabolism. RecF is involved in the restart of stalled DNA replication forks and the repair of DNA damage, particularly in situations where single-stranded DNA regions are generated. It forms a complex with RecR and RecO, collectively known as the RecFOR complex, which mediates the loading of RecA onto single-stranded DNA. RecA, in turn, promotes the strand exchange between single-stranded and double-stranded DNA, facilitating repair processes such as homologous recombination. RecF is essential for the cell's ability to respond to DNA damage, ensuring accurate and faithful DNA repair and replication. Understanding the functions of RecF is fundamental for unraveling the intricacies of bacterial DNA repair mechanisms and has implications for the development of antibacterial strategies targeting essential cellular processes.