Regulatory role of recF in the SOS response of Escherichia coli: impaired induction of SOS genes by UV irradiation and nalidixic acid in a recF mutant

Journal Article · Wed Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1987 · J. Bacteriol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6526394

Thoms, B; Wackernagel, W

We isolated a new recF mutant of Escherichia coli K-12 by insertion of transposon Tn5 into the recF gene. This recF400::Tn5 allele displayed the same phenotypic characteristics as the classic recF143 mutation. By using Mu d(Ap lac) fusions, the induction of nine SOS genes, including recA, umuC, dinA, dinB, dinD, dinF, recN, and sulA, by UV irradiation and nalidixic acid was examined. Induction of eight genes by the two agents was impaired by recF400::Tn5 to different extents. The ninth fused SOS gene, dinF, was no longer inducible by UV when combined with recF400::Tn5. The generally impaired SOS response in recF strains did not result from weak induction of recA protein synthesis, since a recA operator-constitutive mutation did not alleviate the inhibitory effect of the recF mutation. The results suggest that recF plays a regulatory role in the SOS response. It is proposed that this role is to optimize the signal usage by recA protein to become a protease.

• Research Organization: Universitaet Oldenburg, Germany, F.R.
• OSTI ID: 6526394
• Journal Information: J. Bacteriol.; (United States), Vol. 4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ESCHERICHIA COLI
GENE REGULATION
GENETIC RADIATION EFFECTS
ANTIBIOTICS
CELL CYCLE
DNA REPAIR
GENE RECOMBINATION
MUTATIONS
TRANSCRIPTION
ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION
ANTI-INFECTIVE AGENTS
BACTERIA
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RECOVERY
BIOLOGICAL REPAIR
DRUGS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
GENETIC EFFECTS
MICROORGANISMS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATIONS
RECOVERY
REPAIR
550400* - Genetics
560130 - Radiation Effects on Microorganisms