Bacillus subtilis homologous recombination: genes and products.

Homologous recombination plays a critical role in maintaining gene diversification and genome stability. Fourteen Bacillus subtilis recombination gene products have been genetically characterised and classified into five different epistatic groups. At least seven other recombination genes could be predicted. Recombination gene products which define activities that help RecA to process DNA repair and recombination have been studied, but those that processed recombination intermediates into products (post-synaptic stage) await elucidation.