[Transforming activity of Escherichia coli DNA fragments obtained following endonucleolytic splitting by EcoRI restrictase].

Escherichia coli DNA with molecular weight of 20 - 10(6) daltons was digested by restriction endonuclease EcoR1, and the transforming activity of resctricts was studied. The transforming activity of restricts for two markers (Leu and Arg) was 2-5 fold increased, for two other markers (Thr and His) was not changed, and for one marker (Pro) was completely absent. The molecular weight of E. coli DNA restricts was 7,5-10(6) daltons. An increase and a decrease of the transforming activity for different markers appeared to be the result of two effects: 1) more efficient uptake of low molecular weight DNA into the cell and 2) the inactivation of markers as a result of location close to EcoR1 induced break.