Interplay between replication and recombination in Escherichia coli: impact of the alternative DNA polymerases.

ABSTRACT: Homologous recombination (HR) and translesion synthesis (TLS) are two pathways involved in the tolerance of lesions that block the replicative DNA polymerase. However, whereas TLS is frequently error-prone and, therefore, can be deleterious, HR is generally error-free. Furthermore, because the recombination enzymes and alternative DNA polymerases that perform TLS may use the same substrate, their coordination might be important to assure cell fitness and survival. This study aimed to determine whether and how these pathways are coordinated in Escherichia coli cells by using conjugational replication and recombination as a model system. The role of the three alternative DNA polymerases that are regulated by the SOS system was tested in DNA polymerase III holoenzyme-proficient and -deficient

SUBMITTER: Delmas S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1450211 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature