Thymine auxotrophy is associated with increased UV sensitivity in Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis

Thymine auxotrophy was shown to be associated with an increase in UV sensitivity both in Bacillus subtilis and in Escherichia coli. This UV sensitization became early evident in polA5 mutants of Bacillus subtilis: at UV doses of 16 J/m², a reduction of mor than 10-fold in the survivor population is observed in thymine requiring spontaneous mutants (polA5 thyA thyB) compared to the parental strains (polA5). Reversion of either thyA or thyB mutation led to a partial recovery in the UV resistance. This result suggests that DNA repair polymerization might be improved by the biosynthesis of thymidylate or some effect associated with such activity.