# BACTERIOPHAGE P22 ESSENTIAL RECOMBINATION FUNCTION

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIV OF MASSACHUSETTS MED SCH WORCESTER · 1988 · $154,059

## Abstract

The mechanism of generalized genetic recombination carried out by the
bacteriophage P22 essential recombination function (erf gene) will be
studied by biochemical and genetic means.  The interaction of purified Erf
protein with DNA will be examined by gel electrophoretic techniques and
enzymatic probes of the state of the DNA.  Fragments of the Erf protein,
generated by proteolysis in vitro and by chain terminating mutations in
vivo, will be purified.  Their structural and DNA binding activities will
be examined in parallel with those of intact Erf.  The abc gene, a newly
discovered P22 recombination-related gene, will be sequenced, and expressed
at high levels by genetic engineering techniques.  The Abc protein will be
purified and its interaction with DNA, Erf protein, and possibly, host cell
recombination functions will be examined.  Similar studies of Y, another
new recombination-related gene of P22, will be carried out.  erf-dependent
supercoiling of linear, terminally repetitious P22 chromosomes will be
examined in order to determine which phage and host cell components are
necessary for this process.  Attempts will be made to assay this process in
vitro, in order to permit reconstruction of the erf recombination system
from purified components.  Such a reconstruction would greatly facilitate
studies of mechanism.

The long-term goal of this research is an understanding of the mechanisms
of genetic recombination.  Recombination is a process of fundamental
importance in the generation of genetic variation and, in higher organisms,
of diversity in the immune response.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3127779
- **Project number:** 5R01AI018234-08
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF MASSACHUSETTS MED SCH WORCESTER
- **SAM.gov UEI:** MQE2JHHJW9Q8
- **Principal Investigator:** ANTHONY R. POTEETE
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1988
- **Award amount:** $154,059
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1981-07-01 → 1989-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3127779

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3127779, BACTERIOPHAGE P22 ESSENTIAL RECOMBINATION FUNCTION (5R01AI018234-08). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-24 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3127779. Licensed CC0.

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