7b5g

Structural highlights

Function

LEXA_ECOLI Represses a number of genes involved in the response to DNA damage (SOS response), including recA and lexA. Binds to the 16 bp palindromic sequence 5'-CTGTATATATATACAG-3'. In the presence of single-stranded DNA, RecA interacts with LexA causing an autocatalytic cleavage which disrupts the DNA-binding part of LexA, leading to derepression of the SOS regulon and eventually DNA repair.^{[1] [2]}

References

1. ↑ Little JW, Mount DW, Yanisch-Perron CR. Purified lexA protein is a repressor of the recA and lexA genes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1981 Jul;78(7):4199-203. PMID:7027255
2. ↑ Brent R, Ptashne M. Mechanism of action of the lexA gene product. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1981 Jul;78(7):4204-8. PMID:7027256