Abstract
Homologous recombination is a universal process that contributes to genetic diversity and genomic integrity. Bacterial-type RecA generally exists in all bacteria and plays a crucial role in homologous recombination. Although RecA homologues also exist in plant mitochondria, there have been few reports about the in vivo functions of these homologues. We identified a recA gene orthologue (named PprecA1) in the moss, Physcomitrella patens. N-terminal fusion of the PpRecA1 to GFP caused a targeting of PpRecA1 to mitochondria. PprecA1 partially complemented the effects of a DNA damaging agent in an Escherichia coli recA deficient strain. The expression of PprecA1 was induced by treating the plants with DNA damaging agents. Disruption of PprecA1 by targeted replacement caused defect in growth and development as well as rearrangements of mitochondrial DNA. These results suggest that PpRecA1 participates in the maintenance of mitochondrial DNA in P. patens.
