The bacteriophage lambda cohesive end site: isolation of spacing/substitution mutations that result in dependence on Escherichia coli integration host factor.
Substitution, insertion and deletion mutations have been constructed at the XmnI restriction site in cos lambda. The XmnI site is located between cosB, the site where terminase binds lambda DNA; and cosN, the site where terminase introduces staggered nicks to generate cohesive ends. Substitution mutations and deletion of a base pair (a -1 change) do not obviously affect lambda growth and DNA packaging. Changes of -2, +2 and -3 render lambda unable to grow on host cells lacking integration host factor (IHF). The -3 mutant has a reduced burst size in IHF+ cells, due to a defect in the initiation of packaging. A -7 deletion mutation is lethal. Models for the basis of these mutational effects are discussed.
Miller
G
G
Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242.
Feiss
M
M
D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D010582:Bacteriophage lambda / Q000235:genetics*; D001483:Base Sequence; D002872:Chromosome Deletion; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics*; D005814:Genes, Viral; D034982:Integration Host Factors; D008242:Lysogeny; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009154:Mutation
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D034982:Integration Host Factors; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes