Supercoils in prokaryotic DNA restrained in vivo.

Abstract
Cells of Escherichia coli containing the plasmid F were .gamma.-irradiated with various doses to introduce determined numbers of single-strand breaks in the F DNA. The cells were then incubated to permit repair of the breaks while DNA gyrase was inhibited with coumermycin to limit restoration of any relaxed supercoils. Repaired, covalently continuous F DNA was isolated and its superhelical density was measured by 2 different methods. Both indicated that a major part (50-60%) of the negative superhelical turns were maintained in the repaired molecules, suggesting that the supercoils are restrained in vivo.