Inducible stable DNA replication of Escherichia coli tolerates unexcised pyrimidine dimers in an uvr-dependent manner

Abstract

Damage-inducible DNA replication (iSDR) was followed in UV-irradiated E. coli uvr⁺ and uvrB5. Owing to the inhibition of dimer excision in the former (caused by the metabolic treatment), both contained similar amounts of unexcised dimers. Since iSDR took place in uvr⁺ but not in uvrB5 cells, it is concluded that the uvr system can tolerate unexcised dimers through the recombinogenic iSDR.