Work

Antimicrobial Resistance and SOS-Mediated DNA Damage Responses: Molecular Mechanisms and Emerging Therapeutic Targets

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Antibiotic exposure promotes the emergence of antimicrobial resistance by activating SOS-dependent mutagenesis and facilitating horizontal gene transfer (HGT), both of which accelerate bacterial adaptation under selective pressure. Consequently, pharmacological inhibition of the SOS response has emerged as a promising strategy to suppress resistance evolution and enhance the efficacy of existing antibiotics. In particular, proteins involved in homologous recombination and DNA repair, such as RecA and LexA, represent attractive therapeutic targets for preventing SOS activation and limiting mutagenesis. This review highlights the pivotal role of the bacterial SOS response in antimicrobial resistance and discusses emerging strategies to therapeutically target the SOS pathway for combating resistant pathogens.

Source: DNA

DOI: 10.3390/dna6030045

Author: Sarmistha Saha

Institution: GLA University

Language: English

Topic: Bacterial Genetics and Biotechnology

Subfield: Genetics

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,207