Patterns of RNA synthesis in T5-infected cells. I. As studied by the technique of DNA-RNA hybridization-competition

Pre-early polypeptides of bacteriophages T5 and BF23

Nine pre-early polypeptides have been detected after infection with bacteriophage T5 and 10 pre-early polypeptides have been detected after infection with bacteriophage BF23. Only about one-half of the coding capacity of the redundant ends of the phage DNA, which code for pre-early proteins, is needed for these 9 to 10 pre-early polypeptides. The direction of transcription of pre-early genes A1 and A2 has been established from the size of N-terminal polypeptide fragments induced by amber mutants and from the known intragenic loci of the amber mutations. Some pre-early functions appear to be nonessential, because a viable deletion mutant of BF23 fails to induce three and possibly four of the detectable pre-early polypeptides.

Physical mapping of the HindIII, EcoRI, Sal and Sma restriction endonuclease cleavage fragments from bacteriophage T5 DNA

The DNA of bacteriophage T5+ (molecular weight 76 X 10(6) dalton) has been dissected by various specific endonucleases. The restriction enzymes HindIII and EcoRI produce 16 and 7 fragments respectively, whereas Sal and Sma produce 4 fragments each. Complete cleavage maps were established for the enzymes EcoRI, Sal and Sma and an almost complete map for HindIII. Furthermore the location and size of the deletions St 20, St 14, b3, St 0 and b1 were determined. The correlation of the genetic and functional map of the phage with the arrangement of fragments produced by the different enzymes has been established.

Structure and function of the genome of coliphage T5. Transcription in vitro of the "nicked" and "nick-free" T5+ DNA

Purified T5+ DNA in nicked form and after repair of the specific single-strand interruptions with DNA ligase was used in transcription studies using Escherichia coli RNA polymerase (holoenzyme) in the presence and absence of E. coli termination protein rho. The transcriptional products were analyzed with respect to their size distribution and the sequences transcribed from the different templates. The results indicate that the single-strand breaks in the DNA of bacteriophage T5, though in genetically defined positions, do not have any specific effect on transcription in vitro. Furthermore, the E. coli rho protein, although it depresses net RNA synthesis and reduces the average molecular weight of the transcripts, seems to act in a non-specific way in this system.

Purification and properties of a bacteriophage T5-modified form of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase

A modified form of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase that contains one of the three T5-specific polypeptides known to interact with the host enzyme was purified from bacteriophage T5-infected cells. The properties of this T5-modified enzyme appeared identical to those of the RNA polymerase derived from uninfected non-colicinogenic cells and to a fully active enzyme isolated from T5-infected ColIb+ cells after the limited in vivo transcription of T5 genes allowed by the plasmid had ceased.

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.

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.

Effect of rifampin on the growth of bacteriophage T5

A rifampin-resistant mutant of Escherichia coli F with an altered ribonucleic acid (RNA) polymerase was isolated and was shown to support the growth of phage T5 in the presence of rifampin. In contrast, wild-type, rifampin-sensitive cells of E. coli F did not support the growth of T5 in the presence of rifampin. We concluded, therefore, that no phage-specific RNA polymerase is essential to the development of phage T5. Rather, the host RNA polymerase, or at least that portion of the host RNA polymerase that is responsible for rifampin sensitivity, is required for the transcription of all essential regions of the T5 deoxyribonucleic acid. These conclusions are supported by in vitro measurements of the rifampin sensitivity of the RNA polymerase activities extracted from infected and uninfected cells. The rifampin sensitivity of the RNA polymerase activity extracted from uninfected cells was similar to the rifampin sensitivity of the RNA polymerase activity extracted 30 min after infection.

Development of coliphage T5: ultrastructural and biochemical studies

Electron microscopic studies of Escherichia coli infected with bacteriophage T5(+) have revealed that host nuclear material disappeared before 9 min after infection. This disappearance seemed to correspond to the breakdown of host deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) into acid-soluble fragments. Little or no host DNA thymidine was reincorporated into phage DNA, except in the presence of 5-fluorodeoxyuridine (FUdR). Progeny virus particles were observed in the cytoplasm 20 min postinfection. Most of these particles were in the form of hexagonal-shaped heads or capsids, which were filled with electron-dense material (presumably T5 DNA). A small percentage (3 to 4%) of the phage heads appeared empty. On rare occasions, crystalline arrays of empty heads were observed. Nalidixic acid, hydroxyurea, and FUdR substantially inhibited replication of T5 DNA. However, these agents did not prevent virus-induced degradation of E. coli DNA. Most of the phage-specified structures seen in T5(+)-infected cells treated with FUdR or with nalidixic were in the form of empty capsids. Infected cells treated with hydroxyurea did not contain empty capsids. When E. coli F was infected with the DO mutant T5 amH18a (restrictive conditions), there was a small amount of DNA synthesis. Such cells contained only empty capsids, but their numbers were few in comparison to those in cells infected under permissive conditions or infected with T5(+). The cells also failed to lyse. These results confirm other reports which suggest that DNA replication is not required for the synthesis of late proteins. The data also indicate that DNA replication influences the quantity of viral structures being produced.