RAD51: Beyond the break.

As the primary catalyst of homologous recombination (HR) in vertebrates, RAD51 has been extensively studied in the context of repair of double-stranded DNA breaks (DSBs). With recent advances in the understanding of RAD51 function extending beyond DSBs, the importance of RAD51 throughout DNA metabolism has become increasingly clear. Here we review the suggested roles of RAD51 beyond HR, specifically focusing on their interplay with DNA replication and the maintenance of genomic stability, in which RAD51 function emerges as a double-edged sword.