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Low-frequency rescue of a genetic marker in deoxyribonucleic acid from Bacillus bacteriophage phi 105 by
Journal of Virology
|December 1, 1970
Abstract:
Markers in gene L, which maps at the right end of the vegetative and prophage maps, are rescued at a strongly reduced frequency from mature phi105 deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) by superinfecting phage but at high frequency from vegetative and prophage DNA. It is suggested that the ends of mature DNA are degraded when DNA is taken up by competent cells.
Insights
Markers on phi105 deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) are less frequently recovered from mature DNA compared to vegetative or prophage DNA. This suggests that the ends of mature phi105 DNA are degraded upon uptake by competent cells.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Microbiology
- Genetics
Background:
- The bacteriophage phi105 is a temperate phage that infects Bacillus subtilis.
- Understanding DNA replication, maturation, and stability is crucial in phage biology.
- Gene L is located at the right end of the vegetative and prophage maps of phi105.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the fate of mature phi105 deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) after uptake by competent cells.
- To determine if specific regions of the phi105 DNA are protected during different life cycle stages.
Main Methods:
- Rescue frequency analysis of markers from mature, vegetative, and prophage phi105 DNA.
- Utilizing superinfecting phage to assess DNA integrity and marker recovery.
Main Results:
- Markers in gene L were rescued at a significantly reduced frequency from mature phi105 DNA compared to vegetative and prophage DNA.
- High-frequency rescue was observed from vegetative and prophage DNA, indicating their stability.
Conclusions:
- The ends of mature phi105 DNA appear to be subject to degradation upon entry into competent cells.
- This degradation mechanism may play a role in regulating phage DNA fate or stability in the host.