The resolvase encoded by <i>Xanthomonas campestris</i> transposable element IS<i>Xc5</i> constitutes a new subfamily closely related to DNA invertases

Abstract

ISXc5 resolvase employs a reaction mechanism which is common to members of the resolvase family. Its position near the evolutionary borderline to invertases and its high degree of identity within two functionally important regions with members of the DNA invertase subfamily suggest that only a few replacements of critical residues may suffice to convert this resolvase into a functional, possibly Fis-dependent invertase.