RecF recombination pathway in Escherichia coli cells lacking RecQ, UvrD and HelD helicases

► RecQ and UvrD helicases are partially redundant in recBCD sbcB15 sbcC mutants. ► HelD helicase is dispensable for recombination in recBCD sbcB sbcC mutants. ► A part of RecF pathway is active in the absence of RecQ, UvrD and HelD helicases. ► Inactivation of ExoVII eliminates requirement for RecQ in the RecF pathway. ► Inactivation of ExoVII enhances RecQ-, UvrD- and HelD-independent recombination.