Final answer:
RuvA binds to and stabilizes the Holliday junction during DNA repair, playing a significant role in homologous recombination by ensuring proper alignment of DNA strands for crossover resolution.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject of this question is Biology, specifically focusing on molecular biology and the process of DNA repair. RuvA is a protein involved in the homologous recombination repair process of DNA. In the context of the Holliday junction, which is an intermediate structure formed during homologous recombination, the correct answer is that RuvA binds and stabilizes the Holliday junction. This is critical for the proper resolution of the crossover structure during the repair process.
It is important for students to understand that during DNA repair, specific enzymes and proteins perform distinct roles. For instance, RuvA does not directly unwind DNA like helicases, nor does it cleave DNA strands like restriction enzymes such as HaeIII. Instead, by binding and stabilizing the Holliday junction, RuvA plays a vital role in ensuring the DNA strands are properly aligned for homologous recombination to occur, leading to genetic diversity and accurate DNA repair.