The production of phage-related materials when bacteriophage development in interrupted by proflavine

DNA Synthesis and Gene Expression in Bacillus subtilis Infected with Wild-Type and Hypermodification-Defective Bacteriophage SP10

A hypermodified base (Y-Thy) replaces 20% of the thymine (Thy) in mature DNA of Bacillus subtilis phage SP10. Two noncomplementing hypermodification-defective (hmd) mutants are described. At 30 degrees C, hmd phage carried out a normal program, but at temperatures of >/=37 degrees C, the infection process was nonproductive. When cells were infected at 37 degrees C with hmd phage, DNA synthesis started at its usual time (12 min), proceeded at about half the normal rate for 6 to 8 min, and then stopped or declined manyfold. All, or nearly all, of the DNA made under hmd conditions consisted of fully hypermodified parental DNA strands H-bonded to unhypermodified nascent strands. The reduced levels of DNA synthesis observed under hmd conditions were accompanied by weak expression of late genes. A sucrose gradient analysis of SP10 hmd(+) replicating DNA intermediates was made. Two intermediates, called VG and F, were identified. VF consisted of condensed DNA complexed to protein; VF also contained negatively supercoiled domains covalently joined to relaxed regions. F was composed of linear concatenates from which mature DNA was cleaved. None of those intermediates was evident in cells infected at 37 degrees C with hmd phage. Shiftup experiments were performed wherein cells infected with hmd phage at 30 degrees C were shifted to 37 degrees C at a time when replication was well under way. DNA synthesis stopped or declined manyfold 10 min after shiftup. The hmd DNA made after shiftup was conserved as a form sedimentationally equivalent to the F intermediate, but little mature DNA was evident. It is proposed that Y-Thy is required for replication and DNA maturation because certain key proteins involved with these processes interact preferentially with hypermodified DNA.

Studies on phage development. II. The maturation of T4 phage in the presence of puromycin

Maturation of T4 can proceed in the presence of 5-methyltryptophan or puromycin. Puromycin inhibits phage protein synthesis within a few seconds, thus limiting the amount of phage precursor material available for maturation. After the arrest of protein synthesis, maturation continues unabated until the limiting protein precursor is depleted. At least one protein, the tail fiber protein, is depleted. Phage protein maturable in the presence of puromycin appears about 5 minutes before maturation begins. The level of the maturable material reaches a maximum at the beginning of maturation. This level is taken as a measure of the size of the pool of complete sets of maturable phage protein. The bulk precursor protein begins to accumulate 3 minutes earlier than serum blocking proteins (SBP) and forms a pool about twice as large as the pool of SBP.

Gene-Controlled Resistance to Acriflavine and Other Basic Dyes in Escherichia coli

Nakamura, Hakobu (Konan University, Kobe, Japan). Gene-controlled resistance to acriflavine and other basic dyes in Escherichia coli. J. Bacteriol. 90:8-14. 1965.-The genetic determinant controlling the sensitivity of Escherichia coli K-12 W1895 to the basic dyes acriflavine, methylene blue, toluidine blue, crystal violet, methyl green, and pyronine B appears, from results of mating experiments, to be located between the marker governing the utilization of lactose and the origin of genetic transfer. The determinant controlling this resistance to basic dyes does not control resistance to acid dyes. After the introduction of the resistance gene into merozygotes, acriflavine resistance is not established immediately but develops slowly.

PROFLAVINE INHIBITION OF VACCINIA VIRUS SYNTHESIS

Bubel, H. Curt (University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio), and David A. Wolff. Proflavine inhibition of vaccinia virus synthesis. J. Bacteriol. 89:977-983. 1965.-The synthesis of vaccinia virus, hemagglutinin, and blocking antigen, as well as the development of cytopathic effects, were inhibited by low concentrations of proflavine. This inhibitor did not exert a selective effect on any particular portion of the virus synthetic cycle. Proflavine added to infected KB cells during the eclipse period or later stages of virus maturation rapidly arrested further production of infectious virus and virus-related products. Suppression of virus synthesis was completely reversible, indicating that permanent damage to the virus synthetic mechanism did not result from a transient exposure to proflavine. Photosensitization of maturating vaccinia virus by subinhibiting concentrations of proflavine suggested an interaction of the inhibitor with viral nucleic acid.

STUDIES ON PROTEIN AND NUCLEIC ACID METABOLISM IN VIRUS-INFECTED MAMMALIAN CELLS. THE FORMATION OF A VIRUS-SPECIFIC ANTIGEN IN KREBS II ASCITES-TUMOUR CELLS INFECTED WITH ENCEPHALOMYOCARDITIS VIRUS

1. Krebs II mouse ascites-tumour cells infected with encephalomyocarditis virus were found to contain, in addition to mature virus, a virus-specific protein antigen. An assay, based on the ability of this antigen to block the neutralization of purified virus by its specific antiserum, was developed. 2. This antigen was present both in the culture fluid 17 hr. after the infection of cells with virus and intracellularly, where its titre increased at a time when viral capsid protein was being synthesized. Within the cell, it was mostly localized in the soluble cell sap. 3. In contrast with virus, the antigen did not agglutinate sheep erythrocytes, and its immunological properties were destroyed by digestion with trypsin. Ribonucleic acid was not detected in concentrated preparations of the antigen, nor was the titre of antigen affected by ribonuclease. 4. The antigen had a sedimentation coefficient (20 degrees ) of approx. 14s, and its diffusion coefficient, determined by the method of Allison & Humphrey (1960), was 3.2x10(-7) cm.(2)sec.(-1). The particle weight of the antigen was hence 420000+/-40000. 5. The capsid protein from purified encephalomyocarditis virus could be degraded by treatment with ethanolamine into a protein of sedimentation coefficient (20 degrees ) of approx. 4s. The 14s antigen, when similarly treated, yielded a protein of similar size. However, no such smaller antigen was detected in virus-infected cells. 6. It is concluded that the non-haemagglutinating antigen represents a polymeric form of the basic viral capsid-protein molecule and that it is synthesized in the cytoplasm of infected cells. It may be either an intermediate or a by-product in the process of viral capsid-protein synthesis.

Electron microscopic studies on intracellular phage development--history and perspectives

This review is centered on the applications of thin sections to the study of intracellular precursors of bacteriophage heads. Results obtained with other preparation methods are included in so far as they are essential for the comprehension of the biological problems. This type of work was pioneered with phage T4, which contributed much to today's understanding of morphogenesis and form determination. The T4 story is rich in successes, but also in many fallacies. Due to its large size, T4 is obviously prone to preparation artefacts such as emptying, flattening and others. Many of these artefacts were first encountered in T4. Artefacts are mostly found in lysates, however, experience shows that they are not completely absent from thin sections. This can be explained by the fact that permeability changes induced by fixatives occur. The information gained from T4 was profitably used for the study of other phages. They are included in this review as far as electron microscopic studies played a major role in the elucidation of their morphogenetic pathways. Research on phage assembly pathways and form determination is a beautiful illustration for the power of the integrated approach which combines electron microscopy with biochemistry, genetics and biophysics. As a consequence, we did not restrict ourselves to the review of electron microscopic work but tried to integrate pertinent data which contribute to the understanding of the molecular mechanisms acting in determining the form of supramolecular structures.

Isolation and characterization of temperature sensitive mutants of the F5 deletion mutant of mycobacteriophage D29

Seven thermosensitive mutants of the F5 deletion mutant of the mycobacteriophage D29 were described. The mutants were obtained using N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) mutagenesis, and were characterized using temperature shift assays, complementation and recombination tests, electron microscopy of infected host bacteria at non-permissive temperature, and serum blocking power. Mutants deficient in tail assembly, and mutants deficient in head and tail assembly were described. Mutants deficient in head assembly but capable of assembling tails were not isolated during this study. From the data, 3 provisional linkage map of the phage F5 was proposed.

Valyl-tRNA synthetase modification-dependent restriction of bacteriophage T4

A strain of Escherichia coli, CP 790302, severely restricts the growth of wild-type bacteriophage T4. In broth culture, most infections of single cells are abortive, although a few infected cells exhibit reduced burst sizes. In contrast, bacteriophage T4 mutants impaired in the ability to modify valyl-tRNA synthetase develop normally on this strain. Biochemical evidence indicates that the phage-modified valyl-tRNA synthetase in CP 790302 is different from that previously described. Although the enzyme is able to support normal protein synthesis, a disproportionate amount of phage structural protein (serum blocking power) fails to mature into particles of the appropriate density. The results with host strain CP 790302 are consistent with either a gratuitous inhibition of phage assembly by faulty modification or abrogation of an unknown role that valyl-tRNA synthetase might normally play in viral assembly.

Coliphage P1 morphogenesis: analysis of mutants by electron microscopy

We used electron microscopy and serum blocking power tests to determine the phenotypes of 47 phage P1 amber mutants that have defects in particle morphogenesis. Eleven mutants showed head defects, 30 showed tail defects, and 6 had a defect in particle maturation (which could be either in the head or in the tail). Consideration of previous complementation test results, genetic and physical positions of the mutations, and phenotypes of the mutants allowed assignment of most of the 47 mutations to genes. Thus, a minimum of 12 tail genes, 4 head genes, and 1 particle maturation gene are now known for P1. Of the 12 tail genes, 1 (gene 19, located within the invertible C loop) codes for tail fibers, 6 (genes 3, 5, 16, 20, 21, and 26) code for baseplate components (although one of these genes could code for the tail tube), 1 (gene 22) codes for the sheath, 1 (gene 6) affects tail length, 2 (genes 7 and 25) are involved in tail stability, and 1 (gene 24) either codes for a baseplate component or is involved in tail stability. Of the four head genes, gene 9 codes for a protein required for DNA packaging. The function of head gene 4 is unclear. Head gene 8 probably codes for a minor head protein, whereas head gene 23 could code for either a minor head protein or the major head protein. Excluding the particle maturation gene (gene 1), the 12 tail genes are clustered in three regions of the P1 physical genome. The four head genes are at four separate locations. However, some P1 head genes have not yet been detected and could be located in two regions (for which there are no known genes) adjacent to genes 4 and 8. The P1 morphogenetic gene clusters are interrupted by many genes that are expressed in the prophage.

Head maturation pathway of bacteriophages T4 and T2. V. Maturable epsilon-particle accumulating an acridine-treated bacteriophage T4-infected cells

A maturable head-related particle of bacteriophage T4 has been identified and characterized. This epsilon-particle has the same size as the prehead, but its shell is made of the cleaved product of gene 23 (gp23*). It contains internal matter, most likely the processed core proteins, which is lost or modified by experimental manipulations. It accumulates, together with partially filled ("grizzled") heads, in T4 infected cells that are treated with 9-aminoacridine. On sections of "well-preserved" cells the epsilon-particles are not identifiable with certainty; a more or less empty breakdown product of them becomes visible when cytoplasmic leakage is induced. The number of particles per cell is then in agreement with the biochemically and with the number of particles counted in lysates. Morphologically and biochemically, the isolated epsilon-particles closely resemble the empty small particles of 17- -infected cells described in previous papers of this series. Both are composed of gp23* and are still unexpanded, so that they are not yet able to bind the minor head proteins soc and hoc. We discuss the possibility of the epsilon-particle being an intermediate on the normal T4 wild-type head maturation pathway.

Genetic effects of acridine compounds

Acridines and a very large number of acridine derivatives are used in enormous quantities both in medicine and industry. The mutagenic action of these compounds has been demonstrated in a wide variety of organisms and is known to occur both in the dark as well as in the presence of light (photodynamic action). At the molecular level, acridines have been shown to cause frameshift mutations of both the addition and deletion types, a characteristic which has been of tremendous help in elucidating the nature of the genetic code. These and various other biological effects of acridines, such as inhibition of DNA repair, curing of plasmids and cell-growth inhibition, are examined in this review.

Regulation of expression of late genes of bacteriophage T5

Amber mutants of bacteriophage T5 defective in gene C2 have been characterized. The product of this gene is required for the normal turn-on of synthesis of late RNA's and proteins, and, apparently, for the normal continued synthesis of early RNA's and proteins during late stages of infection. The inability of nonpermissive cells to synthesize any proteins, either late or early, during the late period after infection with a C2-mutant is not due to premature lysis of the infected cells, to a depletion of the cellular energy supply, or to degradation of phage DNA at late times. A possible role for the product of gene C2 in early and late transcription of the viral genome is suggested.

Antigenic properties of bacteriophage phi 29 structural proteins

Serological methods and electron microscopy were used to study the structural proteins of the small Bacillus subtilis bacteriophage phi29. This virus has a large number of fibers attached at both ends of its prolate head. A complex neck assembly is comprised of 12 symmetrically arranged appendages as the outer component. Head fibers, neck appendages, and the head surface bind anti-phi29 antibodies. Immune sera absorbed with defective lysates of suppressor-sensitive (sus) mutants have been used to determine the genetic control of neck appendages production. Studies on the serum-blocking power of lysates defective in different tail components showed that appendages contain the main serum-blocking protein. This finding suggests an essential role of the neck appendages in phage adsorption or DNA injection.

Requirement of a phage-induced 5'-exonuclease for the expression of late genes of bacteriophage T5

Amber mutants of bacteriophage T5 defective in gene D15, which codes for a 5'-exonuclease, do not express late genes. Electrophoretic separation in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels of the proteins induced by this mutant in nonpermissive Escherichia coli show a virtual absence of late proteins. Synthesis of lysozyme and serum-blocking power is very low whereas the extent of synthesis of an early enzyme, deoxyribonucleoside monophosphokinase, is similar to that in wild-type infections. It is proposed that one requirement for the expression of late T5 genes is the introduction of gaps or nicks in the T5 DNA so that late transcription can occur.

Antigenic determinants of infective and inactivated human rhinovirus type 2

Treatment of human rhinovirus type 2 (HRV 2) virions at pH 5, at 56 C or in 2 M urea, produces one or both of two types of subviral particles. These subviral particles sediment at 135S or at 80S and both share what have been designated as C-antigenic determinants; the determinants of native virions have been designated D. These sets of determinants have been contrasted by the techniques of immunodiffusion, complement fixation, and serum blocking, and the results indicate that many or most of the D-determinants are lost in the conversion to C antigenicity. Some of the HRV 2 C-determinants also react, in immunodiffusion and in complement fixation tests, with antisera produced against HRV 1A virions. The inverse reaction has also been detected by complement fixation. Purified natural top component (NTC) of HRV 2 contains C- and, to a lesser extent, D-determinants. The D-determinants of NTC are also, like those of virions, lost upon treatment at pH 5. These results are discussed in terms of a conformational model for the D- to C-antigenic conversion.

Synthesis of bacteriophage-coded gene products during infection of Escherichia coli with amber mutants of T3 and T7 defective in gene 1

During nonpermissive infection by a T7 amber mutant in gene 1 (phage RNA polymerase-deficient), synthesis of the products of the phage genes 3 (endonuclease), 3, 5 (lysozyme), 5 (DNA polymerase), and 17 (serum blocking power) was shown to occur at about half the rate as during wild-type infection. This relatively high rate of expression of "late" genes (transcribed normally by the phage RNA polymerase) seems to be a general feature of all T7 mutants in gene 1 from our collection. In contrast, T3 gene 1 mutants and a T7 gene 1 mutant from another collection showed late protein synthesis at very reduced rates. Synthesis of the gene 3 endonuclease by T7 gene 1 mutants was very sensitive to the addition of rifampin 2 min after infection, conditions under which there was very little inhibition during wild-type infection. This supports the notion that late gene expression during nonpermissive infection by gene 1 mutants is dependent on the transcription of the T7 genome by the host RNA polymerase. In contrast to T3 gene 1 mutants, the T7 gene 1 mutants of our collection directed the synthesis of phage DNA during nonpermissive infection. This DNA accumulated as a material sedimenting faster than mature T7 DNA.

Bacteriophage tail components. I. Pteroyl polyglutamates in T-even bacteriophages

A pteroylpolyglutamate has been found to be a constituent of all Escherichia coli T-even bacteriophages and has been characterized with regard to its oxidation state, molecular weight, origin, and location on the phage particle. The phage compound has been shown to be a dihydropteroyl penta- or hexaglutamate on the basis of its chemical and physical properties. Analyses of extracts of uninfected and T2L-infected E. coli have indicated that the phage dihydropteroyl polyglutamate was present only in infected cells. Its synthesis was sensitive to the addition of chloramphenicol before infection, and the compound appeared to be specifically induced by phage infection. Analyses of isolated phage ghosts and tail substructures have shown that each phage particle contains between two and six phage-specific pteroyl derivatives and that the juncture of the phage tail plate with the tail tube is the most likely site of binding of the phage-induced pteroyl compound.

Biological effects of substituting cytosine for 5-hydroxymethylcytosine in the deoxyribonucleic acid of bacteriophage T4

Previous work from this laboratory has shown that the cytosine-containing T4 deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) made by deoxycytidine triphosphatase (dCTPase) amber mutants is extensively degraded, and that nucleases controlled by genes 46 and 47 participate in this process. In this paper, we examine other consequences of a defective dCTPase. Included are studies of DNA synthesis and phage production, and of the control of both early and late protein synthesis after infection of Escherichia coli B with various T4 mutants defective in genes 56 (dCTPase), 42 (dCMP hydroxymethylase), 1 (deoxynucleotide kinase), 43 (DNA polymerase), 30 (polynucleotide ligase), 46 and 47 (DNA breakdown) or e(lysozyme). By varying the temperature of infection with a temperature-sensitive dCTPase mutant, we have been able to control intracellular dCTPase activity, and thus vary the cytosine content of the phage DNA. We have produced and characterized viable T4 phage in which cytosine replaces 20% of the 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (HMC) in the DNA. We present evidence which suggests that intact, cytosine-containing T4 DNA is much less efficient than is normal T4 DNA in directing the synthesis of tail-fiber antigen. Lysozyme production is much less affected by progressively decreasing dCTPase activity; however, complete substitution of cytosine is correlated with a depression of lysozyme synthesis greater than expected from the defective synthesis of DNA. Low but significant lysozyme synthesis is observed late after infection of E. coli B with T4 amber mutants defective in a number of genes controlling DNA synthesis. The "20% cytosine" T4 phage, once produced, can initiate an apparently normal infection at permissive temperatures; the synthesis of early enzymes, DNA, and phage does not appear to be impaired. Two roles for HMC in T4 DNA have been indicated previously: (i) involvement in host-controlled restriction of the phage, in which glucosylation of the hydroxymethyl group plays a crucial role (16, 29, 53, 58), and (ii) protection of vegetative DNA against phage-controlled nucleases, a protection not dependent on glucosylation (41, 66, 67). A third role is suggested by our present results: transcription of at least some late genes can occur only from HMC-containing DNA and not from cytosine-containing DNA.

Transient activation of RNA polymerase in Escherichia coli B after infection with bacteriophage T4

Sköld and Buchanan(1) have reported that there is a rapid loss of RNA polymerase activity in Escherichia coli B after infection with T4 bacteriophage. More recent studies on the mechanism of this inactivation have been made in this(2) and other laboratories.(3, 4) In this communication, we report the observation of a transient stimulation of RNA polymerase activity when measurement is made immediately after infection and when cells are ruptured by a gentle lysis procedure. The increase in activity is independent of the synthesis of protein. The activity in the extracts of infected cells is lost by treatment of the extract with antibody to E. coli RNA polymerase and is refractive to the inhibitory action of the antibiotic rifamycin. Hybridization experiments indicate that an RNA transcribed almost exclusively from a T4 DNA template is the product of incubation of extracts of infected cells with a reaction mixture containing an exogenous primer (salmon sperm DNA). These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that one of the first steps in phage infection is the formation of a transcription complex containing T4 DNA and E. coli RNA polymerase.