Induction of the SOS system in a dam-3 mutant: a diagnostic strain for chemicals causing DNA mismatches.

We have developed a strain of E. coli in which expression of the SOS function sfiA, monitored by means of a sfiA::lacZ operon fusion, is efficiently triggered by the two base analogues 2-aminopurine and 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine. This strain resulted from introduction of a dam-3 mutation into a Uvr+, Rfa+ derivative of strain PQ37 used in the SOS chromotest, a bacterial colorimetric assay for genotoxins (Quillardet et al., 1982). The dam-3 mutation affects the mismatch correction system in E. coli. We show that the SOS-inducing capacity of a weak SOS inducer such as the alkylating agent ethyl methanesulfonate was also increased in the dam-3 strain. We provide evidence that the increase in SOS inducibility due to the dam-3 mutation is specific for compounds causing DNA mismatches and propose the use of the dam-3 derivative of PQ37 as a diagnostic strain for such agents. This diagnostic strain can be a useful addition to the SOS chromotest.