Purification and properties of the DNA invertase gin encoded by bacteriophage Mu

J Biol Chem. 1986 Nov 25;261(33):15668-72.

Abstract

The host range of bacteriophage Mu is regulated through an invertible segment. Inversion requires the presence of two properly oriented recombination sites and a recombinational enhancer sis. The reaction is catalyzed by the Mu-encoded DNA invertase Gin and a host factor termed factors for inversion stimulation (FISs). We present a novel purification scheme for Gin. Purified Gin alone catalyzes the inversion reaction at very low efficiency recombining less than 0.8% of substrate molecules. When supplemented with FIS substrates containing the recombinational enhancer are recombined efficiently. Stoichiometric amounts of Gin are required for recombination.

MeSH terms

  • Cations, Divalent
  • Chromatography
  • Chromatography, Gel
  • Chromosome Inversion*
  • Coliphages / genetics*
  • DNA, Viral / isolation & purification*
  • DNA, Viral / metabolism
  • Magnesium / pharmacology
  • Molecular Weight
  • Recombination, Genetic
  • Viral Proteins / isolation & purification*

Substances

  • Cations, Divalent
  • DNA, Viral
  • Viral Proteins
  • Magnesium