The deamination of cytosine generates uracil. However, E. coli contains an enzyme, uracil-DNA-glycosidase, that removes uracil residues from DNA (see 14.13 Base flipping is used by methylases and glycosylases). This action leaves an unpaired G residue, and a "repair system" then inserts a C base to partner it. The net result of these reactions is to restore the original sequence of the DNA. Presumably this system serves to protect DNA against the consequences of spontaneous deamination of cytosine (although it is not active enough to prevent the effects of nitrous acid; see Figure 1.15).