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Requirements for the formation of plasmid‐transducing particles of Bacillus subtilis bacteriophage SPP1.
Author(s) -
Alonso J.C.,
Lüder G.,
Trautner T.A.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
the embo journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 7.484
H-Index - 392
eISSN - 1460-2075
pISSN - 0261-4189
DOI - 10.1002/j.1460-2075.1986.tb04706.x
Subject(s) - plasmid , biology , transduction (biophysics) , homology (biology) , bacillus subtilis , bacteriophage , dna replication , dna , rolling circle replication , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , gene , bacteria , escherichia coli , biochemistry
We had previously proposed that the production of concatemeric plasmid DNA in plasmid‐transducing SPP1 particles is a consequence of phage‐directed rolling‐circle‐type replication of plasmid DNA. The production of such DNA was greatly enhanced when DNA/DNA homology was provided between phage and plasmid DNAs (facilitation of transduction). Here we present evidence that synthesis of concatemeric plasmid DNA can proceed after phage infection under conditions non‐permissive for plasmid replication. We also propose that the naturally occurring homology between plasmid and phage is sufficient to account for the frequency of transduction observed in the absence of facilitating homology. Homology of greater than 47 bp gives the maximal facilitation of plasmid transduction. Recombination is not an essential part in the synthesis of concatemeric plasmid DNA.