[Transfer of prophage Mu into methylotrophic bacteria in the plasmid RP4].

Bacteriophage Mu genome has been transferred into the cells of Pseudomonas methanolica and Methylobacterium sp. SKF240, that are naturally resistant to the bacteriophage, as a fragment of a hybrid plasmid RP4::Mu cts62. Temperature induction of the bacteriophage results in host cell lysis. Plasmid RP::Mu cis62 is maintained in methylotrophic cells presenting a cointegrative structure. The genetic and electrophoretic, analyses of the DNA isolated from transconjugant cells have confirmed the conclusion. Bacteriophage Mu propagation has been shown to be restricted in methylotrophic cells.