Replication of plasmid DNA in Proteus mirabilis in limiting concentrations of thymine.

Replicating forms of the R plasmid pRR12 and the colicin E1 plasmid RSF2124 were isolated from Proteus mirabilis after growth in medium containing a limiting concentration of thymine. Both plasmids were replicated as partially supercoiled intermediates, which have densities between the values of covalently closed circular and nicked circular plasmid DNA in ethidium bromide-cesium chloride gradients. In addition, both plasmids had replication intermediates, which have densities lower than that of linear P. mirabilis chromosomal DNA. Some structural features of these replication intermediates were examined.