Role of the tof gene in the production and perpetuation of the λdv plasmid

Abstract

A series of λ derivatives carrying tof mutations were tested for their ability to give rise to plasmid λ dv. Phages carrying tof mutations that distorted expression of the pRoR-tof-OP operon, were unable to produce λ dv. Phages carrying an altered tof gene, having only a moderate effect on the same operon, produced unstable λdv's. On the other hand, those tof mutants where only the expression of the pLoL-N-exo operon, but not that of the pRoR-tof-OP operon was affected, produced stable λdv's.