Linked Transformation of Bacterial and Prophage Markers in Bacillus subtilis 168 Lysogenic for Bacteriophage φ105

Abstract

Level of competence reached by Bacillus subtilis 168 lysogenic for temperate phage φ 105 was reduced compared to that reached by nonlysogenic cells. This effect was probably related to an alteration of the bacterial surface. Deoxyribonucleic acid extracted from φ 105 lysogenic bacteria was used to transform other lysogenic bacteria. About 25% linkage was found between the bacterial phe-1 marker and prophage marker ts N15. The order of a few prophage markers relative to phe-1 was established in three-factor crosses. The usefulness of this system for a study of the linkage between an integrated prophage genome and that of its host was discussed.