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Updated: Jul 12, 2026
Laser Microirradiation to Study In Vivo Cellular Responses to Simple and Complex DNA Damage
Published on: January 31, 2018
Transcriptional responses to DNA damage
1Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA. Michael.Volkert@umassmed.edu
Abstract:
In Escherichia coli, DNA repair and protective responses are regulated at the transcriptional level. Regulatory mechanisms have evolved that allow cells to respond to DNA damage by mounting the appropriate responses. The regulatory proteins controlling these responses are activated when they recognize the presence of a specific DNA damaging agent, the production of specific DNA lesions, or the production of damage intermediates resulting from replication of lesions containing DNA. Transcription of the responses to DNA damage are induced when the activated regulatory proteins stimulate transcription of the genes they control by a variety of complex and unique molecular mechanisms.
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