Bacteriophage phi 29 infection of Bacillus subtilis minicells.

Bacteriophage phi 29 can infect B. subtilis minicells and synthesize all the phage-coded proteins detected in ultraviolet irradiated-infected B. subtilis cells. Synthesis of phage unit-length DNA has been obtained after infection of minicells with phi 29. The DNA can be encapsulated in particles with a sedimentation rate similar to that of phage phi 29 produced in B. subtilis cells. The particles produced in minicells can be adsorbed to B. subtilis cells, but infectivity has not been demonstrated because of the very low burst-size obtained.