Less Is More: Neisseria gonorrhoeae RecX Protein Stimulates Recombination by Inhibiting RecA*

Abstract

Escherichia coli RecX (RecX_Ec) is a negative regulator of RecA activities both in the bacterial cell and in vitro. In contrast, the Neisseria gonorrhoeae RecX protein (RecX_Ng) enhances all RecA-related processes in N. gonorrhoeae. Surprisingly, the RecX_Ng protein is not a RecA protein activator in vitro. Instead, RecX_Ng is a much more potent inhibitor of all RecA_Ng and RecA_Ec activities than is the E. coli RecX ortholog. A series of RecX_Ng mutant proteins representing a gradient of functional deficiencies provide a direct correlation between RecA_Ng inhibition in vitro and the enhancement of RecA_Ng function in N. gonorrhoeae. Unlike RecX_Ec, RecX_Ng does not simply cap the growing ends of RecA filaments, but it directly facilitates a more rapid RecA filament disassembly. Thus, in N. gonorrhoeae, recombinational processes are facilitated by RecX_Ng protein-mediated limitations on RecA_Ng filament presence and/or length to achieve maximal function.