title: The SOS Regulatory Network.
abstract: All organisms possess a diverse set of genetic programs that are used to alter cellular physiology in response to environmental cues. The gram-negative bacterium,Escherichia coli, mounts what is known as the "SOS response" following DNA damage, replication fork arrest, and a myriad of other environmental stresses. For over 50 years,E. colihas served as the paradigm for our understanding of the transcriptional, and physiological changes that occur following DNA damage (400). In this chapter, we summarize the current view of the SOS response and discuss how this genetic circuit is regulated. In addition to examining theE. coliSOS response, we also include a discussion of the SOS regulatory networks in other bacteria to provide a broader perspective on how prokaryotes respond to DNA damage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139.
authors.forename: Lyle A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Simmons
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139.
authors.forename: James J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Foti
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139.
authors.forename: Susan E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139.
authors.forename: Graham C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Walker