Physiology of the SOS response: kinetics of lexA and recA transcriptional activity following induction. 1985

B E Markham, and J E Harper, and D W Mount

The products of the lexA and recA genes play central roles in the regulation of the Escherichia coli SOS response. We have measured the rate of mRNA synthesis from each gene at intervals following various inducing treatments in order to obtain a more precise timing of the induction process. Further, we provide quantitative evidence for kinetics of decay from fully induced levels of mRNA synthesis to basal levels as the cells shut down the SOS response which are in agreement with previously published data on the expression of specific SOS functions. The induction kinetics of lexA and recA gene expression are parallel except for nalidixic acid (NAL) treatment, with the actual levels of lexA mRNA synthesis being about 10-fold lower than that of recA. Reestablishment of repression from RecA commenced over 30 min earlier than from lexA. These results are fully consistent with the model that the functions result from the increased gene expression.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009268 Nalidixic Acid A synthetic 1,8-naphthyridine antimicrobial agent with a limited bacteriocidal spectrum. It is an inhibitor of the A subunit of bacterial DNA GYRASE. Nalidixin,Nalidixate Sodium,Nalidixate Sodium Anhydrous,Nevigramon,Sodium Nalidixic Acid, Anhydrous,Sodium Nalidixic Acid, Monohydrate,Acid, Nalidixic,Anhydrous, Nalidixate Sodium,Sodium Anhydrous, Nalidixate,Sodium, Nalidixate
D011938 Rec A Recombinases A family of recombinases initially identified in BACTERIA. They catalyze the ATP-driven exchange of DNA strands in GENETIC RECOMBINATION. The product of the reaction consists of a duplex and a displaced single-stranded loop, which has the shape of the letter D and is therefore called a D-loop structure. Rec A Protein,RecA Protein,Recombinases, Rec A
D012097 Repressor Proteins Proteins which maintain the transcriptional quiescence of specific GENES or OPERONS. Classical repressor proteins are DNA-binding proteins that are normally bound to the OPERATOR REGION of an operon, or the ENHANCER SEQUENCES of a gene until a signal occurs that causes their release. Repressor Molecules,Transcriptional Silencing Factors,Proteins, Repressor,Silencing Factors, Transcriptional
D004260 DNA Repair The removal of DNA LESIONS and/or restoration of intact DNA strands without BASE PAIR MISMATCHES, intrastrand or interstrand crosslinks, or discontinuities in the DNA sugar-phosphate backbones. DNA Damage Response
D004307 Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation The relationship between the dose of administered radiation and the response of the organism or tissue to the radiation. Dose Response Relationship, Radiation,Dose-Response Relationships, Radiation,Radiation Dose-Response Relationship,Radiation Dose-Response Relationships,Relationship, Radiation Dose-Response,Relationships, Radiation Dose-Response
D004926 Escherichia coli A species of gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped bacteria (GRAM-NEGATIVE FACULTATIVELY ANAEROBIC RODS) commonly found in the lower part of the intestine of warm-blooded animals. It is usually nonpathogenic, but some strains are known to produce DIARRHEA and pyogenic infections. Pathogenic strains (virotypes) are classified by their specific pathogenic mechanisms such as toxins (ENTEROTOXIGENIC ESCHERICHIA COLI), etc. Alkalescens-Dispar Group,Bacillus coli,Bacterium coli,Bacterium coli commune,Diffusely Adherent Escherichia coli,E coli,EAggEC,Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli,Enterococcus coli,Diffusely Adherent E. coli,Enteroaggregative E. coli,Enteroinvasive E. coli,Enteroinvasive Escherichia coli
D005798 Genes, Bacterial The functional hereditary units of BACTERIA. Bacterial Gene,Bacterial Genes,Gene, Bacterial
D001426 Bacterial Proteins Proteins found in any species of bacterium. Bacterial Gene Products,Bacterial Gene Proteins,Gene Products, Bacterial,Bacterial Gene Product,Bacterial Gene Protein,Bacterial Protein,Gene Product, Bacterial,Gene Protein, Bacterial,Gene Proteins, Bacterial,Protein, Bacterial,Proteins, Bacterial
D012697 Serine Endopeptidases Any member of the group of ENDOPEPTIDASES containing at the active site a serine residue involved in catalysis. Serine Endopeptidase,Endopeptidase, Serine,Endopeptidases, Serine
D014157 Transcription Factors Endogenous substances, usually proteins, which are effective in the initiation, stimulation, or termination of the genetic transcription process. Transcription Factor,Factor, Transcription,Factors, Transcription

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