The Influence of the Size and Number of Digested pBR322 Fragments on the Inhibition of Transformation of E. coli HB101 Cells by the Plasmids pBR322 and p328.5

Transformation reactions can be inhibited by a number of different contaminants. We were interested in investigating the inhibitory effect of linearized pBR322 on the transformation of E. coli HB101 cells with pBR322 and p328.5. In particular, we wanted to determine the relative influences of pBR322 fragment size and number on the level of transformation inhibition. To that end, we digested pBR322 with various restriction enzymes to produce digests with identical sequences, but differing fragment sizes and numbers. These digests were individually used to inhibit transformation reactions. Unfortunately, overall cell transformation levels were too low to permit any reasonable conclusions. Therefore, we cannot confidently state that either fragment size or number are crucial factors in influencing levels of transformation inhibition.