Origin of replication, oriC, or the Escherichia coli chromosome on specialized transducing phages lambda asn

Abstract

Specialized transducing phages lambda asn harboring chromosomal DNA and genetic markers on either side of the asn gene were isolated. Phages carrying chromosomal DNA counterclockwise of the asn gene can upon infection establish themselves as self-replicating plasmids in asn, recA hosts lysogenic for lambda. It is concluded that this bypassing of normal lambda immunity is due to the presence of the chromosomal replication origin, oriC, in this class of phages. Genetic analysis and the determination of restriction endonuclease cleavage patterns of the different lambda asn lead to the allocation of oriC within 1.5 megadaltons of the asn gene towards the uncA, uncB genes at 82 min on the genetic map of E. coli. The clockwise order of genes on the chromosomes is found to be: bglB, (pst, glmS), (uncA, uncB), oriC, asn, trkD, rbs, rrnC, ilv.