Association of nonreplicating P2 DNA to fast-sedimenting cell material following infection with satellite phage P4

Abstract

Parental P2 DNA associates with some fast-sedimenting host material, probably the cell membrane, after infection of a sensitive cell. Membrane association is normal after infection of REP − cells, in which P2 DNA replication is blocked. Upon superinfection of a P2-lysogenic cell with an immunity-sensitive phage, association of the superinfecting P2 DNA does not occur. The A produce of P2 is required for membrane association. In a mixed infection of a P2 lysogen with P2 and its satellite phage P4, the superinfecting P2 DNA molecule does associate with the membrane. The P4-induced association does not require an active P2 A gene product. Some P4 gene activity is required, however, since uv-inactivated P4 is not able to induce it. In a P2 infection of a nonimmune cell the association of parental P2 DNA is an early event: it reaches 50% 8 min after addition of phage. The P4-induced association of P2 DNA after infection of P2-lysogenic cells does not reach 50% until 20 min after phage addition. The effect of P4 may be related to its ability to transactivate late P2 transcription in the absence of P2 A gene function.