Transcriptional Modulator NusA Interacts with Translesion DNA Polymerases in Escherichia coli

NusA, a modulator of RNA polymerase, interacts with the DNA polymerase DinB. An increased level of expression of dinB or umuDC suppresses the temperature sensitivity of the nusA11 strain, requiring the catalytic activities of these proteins. We propose that NusA recruits translesion DNA synthesis (TLS) polymerases to RNA polymerases stalled at gaps, coupling TLS to transcription.