Upstream of the SOS response: figure out the trigger.
The bacterial SOS regulon encodes a response to DNA damage that not only functions to relieve the incurred damage but also enhances adaptation through mutagenesis and the lateral spread of virulence factors. Recent papers have demonstrated that certain stimuli can indirectly generate the SOS-inducing signal by activation of endogenous DNA damage mechanisms rather than by direct DNA damage. We suggest that these endogenous triggers have been recruited by bacteria to enable adaptation to various types of stresses.
Aertsen
Abram
A
Laboratory of Food Microbiology, Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems (M(2)S), Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, K.U. Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 22, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium. abran.aertsen@biw.kuleuven.be
Michiels
Chris W
CW
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D018407:Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000378:metabolism; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes / Q000378:metabolism; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D011494:Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D013014:SOS Response, Genetics; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; C068355:CcdA protein, Bacteria; C068356:CcdB protein, Plasmid F; C115181:CitB protein, E coli; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; D011494:Protein Kinases; C460095:CitA protein, E coli; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes; C070141:Mrr protein, E coli