Characterization of an insertion in the phage phi 105 genome that blocks host Bacillus subtilis lysis and provides strong expression of heterologous genes.

A defective prophage vector, phi 105MU331, for high-level protein overproduction in Bacillus subtilis, was derived by random insertion of a lacZ reporter gene. The site of insertion not only provided efficient inducible transcription of heterologous genes, but also prevented lysis of the host cell. The region of the insertion in phi 105MU331 lies close to the right cohesive end of phi 105. DNA sequence analysis revealed that this region of phi 105 somewhat resembles the lysis cassette of various phages, including lambda. The site of insertion lies in a possible 'holin' gene, which could explain the block in host cell lysis. Dual promoters apparently responsible for the strong inducible transcription lie in an untranslated region just upstream from the putative holin gene. This region is probably equivalent to the site of the major late promoter and antiterminator of the lambdoid phages. The sequence features could, thus, account for the useful properties of the phi 105MU331 vector system.