Fine-structure mapping and complementation analysis of the Escherichia coli cysB gene

Abstract

Sixty-two point mutations were isolated in Escherichia coli by means of transduction with mutagenized phage P1. Twenty-two deletions extending into cysB but able to recombine with at least some of the point mutations were isolated on a transmissible E. coli plasmid. Mapping of the point mutations against the deletions divided the former into 16 deletion groups. Nine merodiploids were constructed in which the chromosome carried one of the three point mutations most distal to the trp operon and in which a plasmid carried one of the three point mutations most proximal to the trp operon. All of these showed a Cys-phenotype. It follows that mutations at the two extreme ends of the region belong to the same complementation group.