Abstract
Free phage φ29, its infectious DNA, and transforming DNA of the Bacillus subtilis host have been subjected to γ-irradiation in dilute aqueous buffer. Inactivation of phage and of its extracted DNA (transfecting activity) correlated with double-strand scissions, whereas transforming activity was lost as the result of single-strand breaks in DNA. While the single-strand breaks in phage DNA are most probably repaired, the double-strand scissions disrupt the continuity of the phage genome and would generally not be repaired under conditions of single infection. On the other hand, single-strand breaks in transforming DNA seem to prevent the integration of donor DNA, an obligatory step in bacterial transformation which apparently depends on the integrity of the single strands of the DNA. The possible significance of single- and double-strand scission of DNA in determining the survival of intact cells is discussed.
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