The complete sequence of the Bacillus phage phi 29 right early region

We have sequenced the rightmost 2216 bp of the Bacillus phage phi 29 genome. This region encompasses the right early region and completes the sequence of the phi 29 early functions. The sequence of gene 17, an early gene implicated in the replication process, is presented. From these results we predict that gene 17 encodes a 19.1-kDal protein. Further analysis of the sequence revealed five previously undetected potential genes, encoding 12.6-, 12.4-, 15.2-, 6.2- and 4.6-kDal proteins. The biological efficacies of some of these putative genes were demonstrated using an Escherichia coli in vitro transcription-translation system. We also examined the transcriptional and translational signals present on this region of the genome.