SEPARATION OF THE TRANSFORMING AND VIRAL DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACIDS OF A TRANSDUCING BACTERIOPHAGE OF BACILLUS SUBTILIS

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Abstract
When DNA is isolated from the transducing B. subtilis bacteriophage SP10, it is found that this DNA is effective for the transformation of competent populations of B. subtilis. SP10 DNA can be distinguished from B. subtilis DNA by its density in a CS2SO4 gradient and by its thermal denaturation temperature, since the phage DNA has a higher density and lower thermal denaturation temperature than the corresponding bacterial DNA. The transforming activity present in SP10 DNA preparations denatures at a temperature characteristic of B. subtilis DNA rather than of viral DNA. In a CS2SO4 gradient the transforming activity from SP10 bands with bacterial rather than viral DNA.