The Transcription-Repair Coupling Factor Mfd Prevents and Promotes Mutagenesis in a Context-Dependent Manner.

ABSTRACT: The mfd (mutation frequency decline) gene was identified by screening an auxotrophic Escherichia coli strain exposed to UV and held in a minimal medium before plating onto rich or minimal agar plates. It was found that, under these conditions, holding cells in minimal (nongrowth) conditions resulted in mutations that enabled cells to grow on minimal media. Using this observation as a starting point, a mutant was isolated that failed to mutate to auxotrophy under the prescribed conditions, and the gene responsible for this phenomenon (mutation frequency decline) was named mfd. Later work revealed that mfd encoded a translocase that recognizes a stalled RNA polymerase (RNAP) at damage sites and binds to the stalled RNAP, recruits the nucleotide excision repair dam

SUBMITTER: Lindsey-Boltz LA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8174841 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature