DNA polymerase III-dependent repair synthesis in response to bleomycin in toluene-treated Escherichia coli

Mol Gen Genet. 1980;179(3):595-605. doi: 10.1007/BF00271750.

Abstract

Bleomycin (BLM) is an antitumor drug which interacts with and damages DNA. We have reported a repair response dependent on DNA polymerase I in toluene-treated Escherichia coli. We report here that DNA polymerase III can also catalyze a repair response in toluene-treated E. coli following exposure to BLM. Polymerase III-mediated synthesis differs because it is ATP-dependent, whereas polymerase I-mediated repair synthesis is not. Polymerase III repair synthesis is independent of replicative synthesis, as demonstrated in a polA-, dnaBts strain, or use of Novobiocin to inhibit replication, and replication persists in the presence of repair synthesis. It appears that ATP-dependent repair synthesis in response to BLM is also present in polA+ strains. Repair synthesis does not require the uvrA gene product.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Bleomycin / pharmacology*
  • DNA Polymerase III / genetics
  • DNA Polymerase III / metabolism*
  • DNA Repair / drug effects*
  • DNA Replication / drug effects*
  • DNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / metabolism*
  • Escherichia coli / drug effects
  • Escherichia coli / genetics*
  • Toluene / pharmacology

Substances

  • DNA, Bacterial
  • Bleomycin
  • Toluene
  • DNA Polymerase III
  • DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase