Characterization of temperature-sensitive mutants of bacteriophage PM2: membrane mutants. 1978

G J Brewer

In an effort to understand the genetic regulation of membrane morphogenesis, twenty-nine temperature-sensitive mutants of the membrane-containing bacteriophage PM2 were isolated. Characterization at restrictive temperature revealed groups showing no lysis (Groups I--IV), partial lysis (Groups V--VIII), and full lysis (groups IX--XII) of the host Pseudomonas BAL-31. When the cell lysis data are considered in conjunction with data on stimulation of viral DNA synthesis, at least six mutant groups are defined. Analysis by gel electrophoresis of the pattern of viral proteins synthesized under restrictive conditions further divides the mutants into twelve groups. Temperature shift experiments delineate early, intermediate and late mutants. Complementation data support some of these groupings. The observed low levels of complementation and recombination are discussed in terms of gene product/genome restriction, bound to the membrane at the site of infection. It is of particular interest to membrane morphogenesis that under restrictive conditions late mutants in Groups II, III and IV make empty-appearing vesicles inside the cell that are the size of virus membranes as seen in thin sections of cells in the electron microscope. Mutants ts 1 (Group II) and ts 12 (Group III) show defects in their ability to incorporate into membranes viral structural proteins sp 13 and sp 6.6. The possibility is discussed that either of these proteins control the size and shape of the viral membrane.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008242 Lysogeny The phenomenon by which a temperate phage incorporates itself into the DNA of a bacterial host, establishing a kind of symbiotic relation between PROPHAGE and bacterium which results in the perpetuation of the prophage in all the descendants of the bacterium. Upon induction (VIRUS ACTIVATION) by various agents, such as ultraviolet radiation, the phage is released, which then becomes virulent and lyses the bacterium. Integration, Prophage,Prophage Integration,Integrations, Prophage,Prophage Integrations
D008565 Membrane Proteins Proteins which are found in membranes including cellular and intracellular membranes. They consist of two types, peripheral and integral proteins. They include most membrane-associated enzymes, antigenic proteins, transport proteins, and drug, hormone, and lectin receptors. Cell Membrane Protein,Cell Membrane Proteins,Cell Surface Protein,Cell Surface Proteins,Integral Membrane Proteins,Membrane-Associated Protein,Surface Protein,Surface Proteins,Integral Membrane Protein,Membrane Protein,Membrane-Associated Proteins,Membrane Associated Protein,Membrane Associated Proteins,Membrane Protein, Cell,Membrane Protein, Integral,Membrane Proteins, Integral,Protein, Cell Membrane,Protein, Cell Surface,Protein, Integral Membrane,Protein, Membrane,Protein, Membrane-Associated,Protein, Surface,Proteins, Cell Membrane,Proteins, Cell Surface,Proteins, Integral Membrane,Proteins, Membrane,Proteins, Membrane-Associated,Proteins, Surface,Surface Protein, Cell
D009154 Mutation Any detectable and heritable change in the genetic material that causes a change in the GENOTYPE and which is transmitted to daughter cells and to succeeding generations. Mutations
D011549 Pseudomonas A genus of gram-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped bacteria widely distributed in nature. Some species are pathogenic for humans, animals, and plants. Chryseomonas,Pseudomona,Flavimonas
D004279 DNA, Viral Deoxyribonucleic acid that makes up the genetic material of viruses. Viral DNA
D006358 Hot Temperature Presence of warmth or heat or a temperature notably higher than an accustomed norm. Heat,Hot Temperatures,Temperature, Hot,Temperatures, Hot
D001435 Bacteriophages Viruses whose hosts are bacterial cells. Phages,Bacteriophage,Phage
D014764 Viral Proteins Proteins found in any species of virus. Gene Products, Viral,Viral Gene Products,Viral Gene Proteins,Viral Protein,Protein, Viral,Proteins, Viral
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