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

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 super-infecting MuAam phage, both for lytic growth and lysogeny, and for their effect on growth of wild-type Mu following infection or induction of a 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.