Single-molecule imaging of LexA degradation in Escherichia coli elucidates regulatory mechanisms and heterogeneity of the SOS response.

ABSTRACT: The bacterial SOS response represents a paradigm of gene networks controlled by a master transcriptional regulator. Self-cleavage of the SOS repressor LexA induces a wide range of cell functions that are critical for survival and adaptation when bacteria experience stress conditions¹ including DNA repair², mutagenesis^3,4, horizontal gene transfer^5-7, filamentous growth and the induction of bacterial toxins^8-12, toxin-antitoxin systems¹³, virulence factors^6,14 and prophages^15-17. SOS induction is also implicated in biofilm formation and antibiotic persistence^11,18-20. Considering the fitness burden of these functions, it is surprising that the expression of LexA-regulated genes is highly varia

SUBMITTER: Jones EC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7611437 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature