Orientation of the genetic and physical map of Rhizobium meliloti temperate phage 16-3

Summary The attachment site, the C cistron of Rhizobium meliloti temperate phage 16-3, and the insertion of the host cys46 ⁺ gene in the phage genome were localized on the HindIII and EcoRJ restriction endonuclease maps, as well as mapped genetically. The strategy employed included restriction analysis and Southern in situ hybridization of plasmid pGY1, which carries the bacterial chromosome region containing the integration site of 16-3, plasmid pGY2, which carries the 16-3 prophage, deletion and inversion mutants, and the cys46 ⁺ transducing 16-3 particles. The colinear array of genetic and physical data was possible. The possibility of isolation of a replacement phage vector for Rhizobium is discussed.