RecA Protein Provides the Functional Link Between DNA Damage and the SOS

RecA protein provides the functional link between DNA damage and the SOS response by displacing the LexA protein from its operator sites on the SOS genes. RecA does so by:

A) associating with polymerase holoenzyme to help it remove LexA from operator.
B) bending LexA operator DNA to force dissociation of LexA repressor.
C) binding to LexA protein to weaken directly its affinity for operator sites.
D) causing self-cleavage of LexA, thus inactivating its binding to operator.
E) competitively binding to LexA operators and serving as an activator.