INTEGRATION OF THE DNA OF A NOVEL FILAMENTOUS BACTERIOPHAGE VSK FROM VIBRIO-CHOLERAE 0139 INTO THE HOST CHROMOSOMAL DNA

An unusual filamentous bacteriophage, VSK, containing single-stranded, circular DNA as its genome was isolated from Vibrio cholerae 0139 str ains P07 and B04. Unlike other single-stranded DNA phages, VSK can int egrate its genome into the chromosome of the host and enter into a lys ogenic state. The double-stranded replicative form (RF) of the single- stranded phage DNA was isolated. A restriction map of the VSK RF DNA w as constructed using HaeII, AvaII, ClaI and XbaI. By Southern blot ana lysis of the chromosomal DNA of the lysogen using labeled phage DNA as probe, the attachment site (attP) on the viral genome was also identi fied.