RMPs: recombination/replication mediator proteins.

Enzymes for DNA replication and recombination need to gain access to single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) but ssDNA-binding proteins (SSBs) present an obstacle to the formation of enzyme-ssDNA replication and recombination complexes. A specialized class of SSBs, which we designate as recombination/replication mediator proteins (RMPs), promotes enzyme- ssDNA assembly by overcoming SSB inhibition. RMPs exhibit strong conservation of function across divergent species, and display species-specific interactions with SSB and enzymes to neutralize the SSB barrier to enzyme-ssDNA assembly.