Abstract
Gene Z mutants of phage P2 were isolated previously as clear plaque-forming mutants that could complement mutants of the C gene. Gene Z mutants are unable to lysogenize most strains of Escherichia coli C, although stable double lysogens, carrying both a Z + and a Z mutant prophage, are easily obtained. When the Z + prophage is removed from such a double lysogen (for example, by transduction), the resultant single lysogen produces many nonlysogenic segregants and cannot be maintained. These results suggest that the product of the Z gene is necessary for the maintenance of P2 lysogens. Additional mutations (suZ) that suppress the Z mutant phenotype have also been isolated. Such mutations are located near, or within, the Z gene itself and are dominant, since double lysogens carrying both a Z mutant and a suppressed Z mutant prophage are stable. Models for the function of the Z gene are discussed.
Published Version
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