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. 1983 Dec;80(24):7380–7384. doi: 10.1073/pnas.80.24.7380

Inducible repair of phosphotriesters in Escherichia coli.

J G McCarthy, B V Edington, P F Schendel
PMCID: PMC389954  PMID: 6369314

Abstract

Extracts from Escherichia coli cells induced for the adaptive response have been prepared that are capable of repairing O6-methylguanine, O4-methylthymine, and the phosphotriesters produced on the DNA backbone by alkylating agents such as N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG). The phosphotriesters are repaired by a methyltransferase distinct from the one that demethylates O6-methylguanine. We propose that this increased capacity to repair phosphotriesters accounts for much of the increased resistance to MNNG toxicity seen in cultures induced for the adaptive response.

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Selected References

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