Restoration of ligase activity in E. coli K12 lig ts7 strain by bacteriophage Mu and cloning of a DNA fragment harbouring the Mu 'lig' gene.

Restoration of ligase activity has been observed in E. coli K12 ligts7 strain lysogenic for Mu, in presence as well in absence of lysogenic immunity. This restoration consist in phenotypic reversal of temperature sensitivity of E. coli ligts7 which also regain the ability to sustain the complete growth cycle of T4 lig-phages. It is possible to put under the control of the gal operon the expression of the viral gene responsible for the restoration effect. This new gene of Mu has been named 'lig'. A 5 kb fragment responsible for the reported effects and localized between genes gam and lys of Mu genome has been cloned in pBR322. This recombinant plasmid used for transforming ligts7 strain restores in it normal behaviour for ligation of Okazaki pieces.