UV inducible UV protection and mutation functions on the I group plasmid TP110

The UV protection and mutation properties of the I group plasmid TP110 have been investigated. It is demonstrated that the genes responsible for these effects are able to complement the deficiency in umuC36 mutants of E. coli, as are the similar genes carried by the B group plasmid R16. Mu-lac inserts into TP110 have been isolated which abolish the UV protection and mutation functions. Restriction mapping of these inserts locates them within a single region of the genome. A comparison of the restriction sites of this region with the muc region of pKM101 reveals very little similarity. Expression of beta-galactosidase in those Mu-lac inserts in which the lacZ gene is fused to the promoter for the protection and mutation functions is inducible by DNA damaging agents, and induction in mutant strains suggests that these genes are under the direct control of the lexA repressor.