DNA repair protein RAD51 homolog 1 (Rad51) plays an important role in homologous strand exchange, a key step in DNA repair through homologous recombination (HR). Rad51 binds to single and double-stranded DNA and exhibits DNA-dependent ATPase activity. Rad51 catalyzes the recognition of homology and strand exchange between homologous DNA partners to form a joint molecule between a processed DNA break and the repair template.