Host and phage-coded functions required for coliphage N4 DNA replication.

Escherichia coli strains containing mutations in various deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis cistrons have been tested for their ability to support bacteriophage N4 growth and, specifically, N4 DNA synthesis. N4 DNA synthesis is independent of the activity of the products of the E. coli dnaA, dnaB, dnaC, dnaE, dnaG, and rep genes. In contrast, N4 DNA replication requires the products of the dnaF, (ribonucleotide reductase) and lig (DNA ligase) genes of E. coli. N4 DNA replication, specifically processing of short DNA fragments requires the 5'-3' exonuclease activity of the polA gene product. However, its DNA polymerizing activity is not required. In addition, the sensitivity of N4 DNA synthesis to inhibitors or temperature-sensitive mutants of E. coli DNA gyrase suggests that this activity is required for N4 DNA synthesis. To date, we have found five N4 gene products required for N4 DNA replication: dbp (a single-stranded DNA binding protein), dnp (a DNA polymerase), dns (unknown function), vRNAp (the N4 virion-associated, DNA-dependent RNA polymerase) and exo (a 5'-3' exonuclease).