Modulation of RNA polymerase by (p)ppGpp reveals a RecG-dependent mechanism for replication fork progression

Cell. 2000 Mar 31;101(1):35-45. doi: 10.1016/S0092-8674(00)80621-2.

Abstract

We have discovered a correlation between the ability of Escherichia coli cells to survive damage to DNA and their ability to modulate RNA polymerase via the stringent response regulators, (p)ppGpp. Elevation of (p)ppGpp, or certain mutations in the beta subunit of RNA polymerase, dramatically improve survival of UV-irradiated strains lacking the RuvABC Holliday junction resolvase. Increased survival depends on excision and recombination proteins and relies on the ability of RecG helicase to form Holliday junctions from replication forks stalled at lesions in the DNA and of PriA to initiate replication restart. The role of RecG provides novel insights into the interplay between transcription, replication, and recombination, and suggests a general model in which recombination underpins genome duplication in the face of frequent obstacles to replication fork progression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Triphosphatases / metabolism
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • DNA Damage / radiation effects
  • DNA Helicases / metabolism*
  • DNA Repair
  • DNA Replication*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases / genetics
  • DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases / metabolism*
  • Endodeoxyribonucleases / genetics
  • Endodeoxyribonucleases / metabolism
  • Enzyme Activation
  • Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Escherichia coli / metabolism
  • Escherichia coli Proteins*
  • Exodeoxyribonuclease V
  • Exodeoxyribonucleases / metabolism
  • Gene Deletion
  • Guanosine Pentaphosphate / metabolism*
  • Holliday Junction Resolvases*
  • Rec A Recombinases / metabolism
  • Replication Protein A
  • Ultraviolet Rays

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Escherichia coli Proteins
  • Replication Protein A
  • RuvB protein, Bacteria
  • ruvC protein, E coli
  • RecG protein, E coli
  • Guanosine Pentaphosphate
  • Rec A Recombinases
  • DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases
  • Endodeoxyribonucleases
  • Exodeoxyribonucleases
  • Exodeoxyribonuclease V
  • Holliday Junction Resolvases
  • RusA protein, E coli
  • Holliday junction DNA helicase, E coli
  • UvrA protein, E coli
  • Adenosine Triphosphatases
  • DNA Helicases