[10] In some bacteria, RecA posttranslational modification via phosphorylation of a serine residue on Loop 2 can interfere with homologous recombination.

[9] In one model, termed conformational proofreading, the DNA duplex is stretched, which enhances sequence complementarity recognition.

Spontaneous branch migration can occur, however, as it generally proceeds equally in both directions it is unlikely to complete recombination efficiently.

The RecA protein catalyzes unidirectional branch migration and by doing so makes it possible to complete recombination, producing a region of heteroduplex DNA that is thousands of base pairs long.

[14] Homologous recombination events mediated by RecA can occur in Escherichia coli during the period after DNA replication when sister loci remain close.

In some bacteria, the recA gene is induced in response to the bacterium becoming competent, the physiological state required for transformation.