The R46 Site-specific Recombination System is a Homologue of the Tn3 and γδ (Tn1000) Cointegrate Resolution System

SUMMARY: The nucleotide sequence of the R46 site-specific recombination system has been determined. The organization of the recombination gene (per R46) and the site at which it acts (per site), together with the extensive sequence homology displayed with the tnpR genes and res sites of the transposons Tn3 and γδ (Tn1000), suggests that they have been derived from a Tn3-like element. These site-specific recombination functions of R46 play a role in plasmid maintenance.