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Effects of prophage Mu induction on expression of adjacent host genes
Molecular Biology Reports
|December 31, 1980
Abstract:
The extent of induction and approximate amount of DNA replication of a Mu prophage carrying a gene for ampicillin resistance can be monitored by assaying the level of beta-lactamase. The expression of the lacZ gene adjacent to either end of an induced Mu prophage remains virtually unaffected, until late in the Mu lytic cycle, while Mu DNA is replicating and transposing.
Insights
Bacteriophage Mu DNA replication and induction can be monitored using beta-lactamase activity. The lacZ gene
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Microbiology
- Genetics
Background:
- Bacteriophage Mu is a model organism for studying DNA transposition and replication.
- Understanding Mu prophage induction is crucial for studying viral life cycles and genetic engineering applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a method for monitoring Mu prophage induction and DNA replication.
- To investigate the expression patterns of genes adjacent to Mu prophage during its lytic cycle.
Main Methods:
- Assaying beta-lactamase activity to quantify Mu prophage induction and DNA replication.
- Monitoring the expression of the lacZ gene located near the Mu prophage ends.
Main Results:
- Beta-lactamase levels directly correlate with the extent of Mu prophage induction and DNA replication.
- Expression of the adjacent lacZ gene remains stable until late stages of the Mu lytic cycle, coinciding with DNA replication and transposition.
Conclusions:
- Beta-lactamase assay provides a reliable method for monitoring Mu prophage induction and DNA replication.
- Gene expression adjacent to Mu prophage is largely independent of early induction events but is affected during later stages of replication and transposition.