title: Generation of linear multigenome-length plasmid molecules in Bacillus subtilis.
abstract: Linear multigenome-length double and single stranded plasmid DNA was identified in a Bacillus subtilis ATP-dependent DNAase mutant strain (addA5) bearing plasmids pC194 or pBD95ts. Plasmid pBC30, a seg mutant of pC194, as well as some pUB110 derivatives with rearrangements external to the minimal replicon, produce high amounts of such a concatemeric DNA, even in Rec+ cells. The synthesis of this type of plasmid DNA occurs in the absence of an active plasmid-encoded Rep protein and is markedly affected in polA5 and recE4 genetic backgrounds. To account for these observations, we propose that the AddAB complex serves to prevent a sigma-type replication of plasmid DNA.
mesh_terms: D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D004261:DNA Replication; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D003851:Deoxyribonucleases / Q000235:genetics; D010957:Plasmids
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D003851:Deoxyribonucleases