Evidence in Escherichia coli that N3-methyladenine lesions induced by a minor groove binding methyl sulfonate ester can be processed by both base and nucleotide excision repair

The cellular toxicity due to N3-methyladenine lesions and their repair by base excision in the protective glycosylase proteins is presented. Data indicate that in the absence of glycosylases, the cells are protected from the cytotoxic minor groove lesions by nucleotide excision repair.