Bacteriophage Mu DNA circularizes following infection of Escherichia coli

Mu DNA, isolated from infected cells or minicells, has been shown to be held by proteins in twisted and open circular forms. Circularization does not require protein synthesis in the infected cells. A 64,000-dalton polypeptide is injected into the infected cell with Mu DNA and co-sediments with Mu DNA through sucrose gradients. Circularization of the infecting Mu DNA does not require removal of the Escherichia coli DNA sequences which are attached to both ends of the Mu genome in the viral particle.