DNA repair in DNA-polymerase-deficient mutants of Escherichia coli

Escherichia coli mutants deficient in DNA polymerase I, in DNA polymerases I and II, or in DNA polymerase III can efficiently and completely execute excision-repair and postreplication repair of the UV-damaged DNA at 30 degrees C and 43 degrees C when assayed by alkaline sucrose gradients. Repair by Pol I- and Pol I-, Pol II- cells is inhibited by 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine (araC) at 43 degrees C but not at 30 degrees C, whereas that by Pol III- cells is insensitive to araC at any temperature. Thus, either Pol I or Pol III is required for complete and efficient repair, and in their absence Pol II mediates a limited, incomplete dark repair of UV-damaged DNA.