Studies on the Establishment of Lysogeny by Bacteriophage P2

Author: Bertani, Lillian Elizabeth

Year: 1957

Degree: Dissertation (Ph.D.)

Advisor: Delbruck, Max

Committee Member: Unknown, Unknown

Option: Biology; Biochemistry

DOI: 10.7907/BP9H-HS61

Abstract

Some aspects of the processes leading to lysogenization of cells of Escherichia coli or Shigella dysenteriae by phage P2 have been studied with the following results. Treatment of infected cells with chloromycetin, amino acid analogues, or 5-OH-uridine, or starvation for a required amino acid, all increase the frequency of lysogenization, whereas treatment with cyanide, azide, dinitrophenol, or pretreatment with ultraviolet light have no effect. Treatment of infected cells with proflavine also increases the frequency of lysogenization, and chloromycetin and proflavine are most effective in this respect when added about halfway through the latent period. It is suggested that the primary action of these substances is to block processes, beginning about that time, that lead to the maturation of the phage. At about the same time, the infected cells that become lysogenic show an apparent resistance to ultraviolet light, higher than that of either phage P2 or established lysogenic cells.

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