pLysS and pLysE are 4886bp plasmids constructed by insertion of the T7 lysozyme gene into the BamH I site of pACYC184 (1, 2). These plasmids are not cloning vectors; they are used in λDE3 lysogenic hosts to suppress basal expression from the T7 promoter by producing T7 lysozyme, a natural inhibitor of T7 RNA polymerase. The two plasmids differ only by the orientation of the T7 lysozyme gene. In pLysS the T7 lysozyme coding sequence is in the antisense orientation relative to the tet promoter, so only a small amount of T7 lysozyme is produced. In pLysE large amounts of T7 lysozyme are produced from the tet promoter. The construct also contains the weak T7 φ3.8 promoter immediately following the lysozyme gene. The p15A origin of replication is compatible with those found in pBR322- and pUC-derived plasmids.Unique sites are shown on the circle map. 1. Studier , F.W. (1991) J. Mol. Biol. 219, 37-44. 2. Chang, A.C.Y. and Cohen, S.N. (1978) J. Bacteriol. 134, 1141.