NHEJ is a backup system in yeast, but in higher cells it is the principal pathway by which breaks are repaired.

TLS Online TPP Program

#Id: 3393

#Unit 3. Fundamental Processes

Because of its high error rate, translesion synthesis (like NHEJ) can be considered a system of last resort. It enables the cell to survive what might otherwise be a catastrophic block to replication, but the price that is paid is a higher level of mut

TLS Online TPP Program

#Id: 3396

#Unit 3. Fundamental Processes

The genes encoding the translesion polymerases are expressed as part of a pathway known as the SOS response. 

TLS Online TPP Program

#Id: 3397

#Unit 3. Fundamental Processes

Damage leads to the proteolytic destruction of a transcriptional repressor (the LexA repressor) that controls expression of genes involved in the SOS response, including those for DinB, UmuC, and UmuD, the inactive precursor for UmuD0.

TLS Online TPP Program

#Id: 3400

#Unit 3. Fundamental Processes

Cleavage of both LexA and UmuD is stimulated by a protein called RecA, which is activated by single-stranded DNA resulting from DNA damage.

TLS Online TPP Program

#Id: 3402

#Unit 3. Fundamental Processes

LexA repressor (Mr 22,700) inhibits transcription of all the SOS genes, and induction of the SOS response requires removal of LexA

TLS Online TPP Program

#Id: 3404

#Unit 3. Fundamental Processes

The LexA repressor is inactivated when it catalyzes its own cleavage at a specific Ala–Gly peptide bond.