Mismatch repair is diminished during stationary-phase mutation

Reuben S. Harris, Gang Feng, Kimberly J. Ross, Roger Sidhu, Carl Thulin, Simonne Longerich, Susan K. Szigety, P. J. Hastings, Malcolm E. Winkler, Susan M. Rosenberg

Research output: Contribution to journalComment/debatepeer-review

59 Scopus citations

Abstract

This paper is an invited Response to a recent Commentary P.L. Foster, Rev. Mut. Res. 436 1999 179-184 entitled 'Are adaptive mutations due to a decline in mismatch repair? The evidence is lacking'. The Commentary argues that no evidence exists supporting the idea that mismatch repair is limiting specifically during stationary-phase mutation. A primary concern of the author is to question the method that we used previously to measure growth-dependent mutation. In this method, mutation rates are calculated using counts of mutant colonies taken at times when those colonies arise, rather than at a predetermined, fixed time. Here we show further data that illustrate why this must be done to ensure accurate mutation measurements. Such accuracy was necessary for our published determination that mismatch repair proteins are not limiting during growth-dependent mutation, but become so during stationary-phase mutation. We review the evidence supporting the idea that stationary-phase reversion of a lac frameshift mutation occurs in an environment of decreased mismatch repair capacity. Those data are substantial. The data presented in the Commentary, in apparent contradiction to this idea, do not justify the conclusion presented there. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)51-60
Number of pages10
JournalMutation Research - Reviews in Mutation Research
Volume437
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1999
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Adaptive mutation
  • Escherichia coli
  • Mismatch repair
  • MutL
  • Resting cell
  • Spontaneous mutation
  • Stationary-phase mutation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Genetics
  • Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Mismatch repair is diminished during stationary-phase mutation'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this