[Temperate SM phage from Pseudomonas aeruginosa as a vector for cloning genetic information]

The recombinant bacteriophages with the genomes containing the DNA fragments of bacteria Erwinia chrysanthemi, including the pectatelyase gene, were constructed on the base of Pseudomonas aeruginosa temperate bacteriophage SM. The gene transferred into Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 cells by transfection is expressed in the new bacterial host. The restriction maps of the recombinant bacteriophages are constructed and the position of an insert is defined. Bacteriophage SM was found to be capable of reproducing in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 cells when its DNA was shortened to 88% or increased to 111% of the normal genome length. Except for bacteriophage SM, the recombinant bacteriophage SM-2 with an unique restriction endonuclease site for XbaI can also be used as a vector for cloning. Bacteriophage SM capacity in cloning of heterological DNA at HindIII sites is not less than 8 Md, capacity of bacteriophage SM-2 is not less than 5 and 8 Md at XbaI and HindIII sites respectively.