Focus and persistence: how Pol IV unblocks stalled DNA synthesis

The mechanisms by which translesion DNA polymerases mediate DNA repair are incompletely understood. A new study shows that Escherichia coli DNA polymerase IV is concentrated at the sites of arrested DNA synthesis by an interaction with SSB, the major single-stranded DNA-binding protein, specifically at stalled but not ongoing replication forks.

Automated summary

This new study reveals that Escherichia coli DNA polymerase IV is concentrated at sites of arrested DNA synthesis by interacting with the major single-stranded DNA-binding protein SSB, specifically at stalled replication forks.