Bidirectional replication of the mini-ColE1 plasmid pVH51

Replicating molecules of the min-ColE1 plasmid pVH51 have been examined by electron microscopy after cleavage with the restriction endonuclease EcoRI. Replication apparently starts at a unique site indistinguishable from the origin of replication used by the parental plasmid ColE1. In contrast to ColE1, the structure of the majority of the replication intermediates was consistent with a bidirectional mode of replication. A minor portion of the molecules appeared to replicate unidirectionally in either direction from the same origin.