Chromosomal TetR mutation during lactose starvation requires RecA and RuvC. Values are the averaged mutation frequencies from multiple independent experiments (n = 9, 5, and 5 for rec+, recA, and ruvC, respectively). Daily measurements of lac− viable cells on the plates (below), shown normalized to the first day's count, show no net growth or death during the experiments (black, rec+; gray, recA; white, ruvC). Error bars represent one SEM. The strains are SMR4576, SMR4608, and SMR4822.