9304937 Livingston The yeast RAD52 gene plays a central role in chromosome maintenance. Its importance is illustrated by the severe defects mutant cells have in repairing damaged DNA, recombining chromosomes, and in completing melotic division. The role of the protein product has not been defined. This project is examining the genetics of RAD52. The study begins with the characterization of temperature-sensitive alleles, which we have isolated, having defects in either DNA repair or chromosome recombination. These mutants are then used to find extragenic suppressors. Such suppressors will identify other genes whose products interact with Rad52p, the protein product of RAD52. The temperature-sensitive alleles, as well as a truncation allele which is able to sporulate, are next used to study the role of Rad52p in meiosis. Molecular studies include an examination of protein-protein interactions: between Rad52p polypeptide selected through a fusion library of yeast proteins. Another molecular study includes the examination of the extent with which the temperature-sensitive and other recombination-proficient RAD52 mutants resect double strand breaks in vivo. %%% This research is concerned with two processes important to all organisms: genetic recombination and repair of DNA. ***
