Transforming Activity in Both Complementary Strands of <i>Bacillus subtilis</i> DNA

Abstract

Under conditions favoring single-strand transformation, the two complementary strands of Bacillus subtilis DNA, separated by differential complexing with polyriboguanylic acid, have identical transforming activity. Moreover separated single strands, upon renaturation with unmarked (recipient) DNA, form heteroduplex molecules with similar double-strand transformin activity. These findings bear upon the mechanism of DNA integration.