Required for resistance to DNA-damaging agents. During growth inhibition caused by the exhaustion of any of a variety of nutrients (carbon, nitrogen, phosphate, sulfate, required amino acid) or by the presence of a variety of toxic agents. Positively regulated by guanosine 3',5'-bisphosphate (ppGpp) and by a RecA/FtsK-dependent regulatory pathway. Belongs to the universal stress protein A family.