Control of genetic stability in Escherichia coli: the SbcB 3′‐5′ exonuclease suppresses illegitimate recombination promoted by the RecE 5′‐3′ exonuclease

Abstract

We conclude that DNA ends with 3'-overhangs produced by 5'-3' dsDNA exonuclease activity are proficient for illegitimate recombination, while blunt DNA ends produced by 3'-5' ssDNA exonuclease activity are deficient for illegitimate recombination. Therefore, both exonucleases may play important roles in genetic stability by controlling end-joining between DNA molecules.