Functional domains of bacteriophage Mu transposase: properties of C-terminal deletions

Abstract
We have generated a series of 3'' deletions of a cloned copy of the bacteriophage Mu transposase (A) gene. The corresponding truncated proteins, expressed under the control of the .lambda. PI promoter, were analysed in vivo for their capacity to complement a superinfecting MuAam phage, both for lytic growth and lysogeny, and for their effect on growth of wild-type Mu following infection or induction of lysogen. Using crude cell extracts, we have also examined binding properties of these proteins to the ends of Mu. The results allow us to further define regions of the protein important in replicative transposition, establishment of lysogeny and DNA binding.