What role does integration host factor (IHF)play in site-specific recombination during phage $\lambda$ lysogeny?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Integration host factor (IHF) plays a role in site-specific recombination by binding to the host DNA and inducing a 90-degree bend, which helps to bring the attP and attB sites (specific recombination sites on the phage and host DNA) into close proximity. This promotes the formation of a synapse between the two DNA molecules and enables the phage DNA to integrate into the host genome. IHF does not supercoil or cleave DNA, nor does it ligate DNA after recombination occurs, so options B, C, and D are incorrect. Therefore, the correct answer is A: IHF binds host DNA, forcing a 90-degree bend.

What Role Does Integration Host Factor (IHF)play in Site-Specific Recombination λ\lambdaλ

What Role Does Integration Host Factor (IHF)play in Site-Specific Recombination $\lambda$