Effect of bacteriophage infection on the sulfur-labeling of sRNA.

Abstract

Pulse-labeled studies of S/sup 35/-incorporation into E. coli RNA have been examined in normal and phage-infected cells. In both cases, S/sup 35/ is incorporated into the sRNA fraction only. Chromatography on columns of MAK however reveals in a significant change in the S/sup 35/-RNA profile after T4 infection. The alteration in S/sup 35/-labeling of sRNA occurs early after viral infection and can be blocked by chloramphenicol if this is present prior to host cell infection. Only the T-even coliphages have been observed to effect these changes. The observed alterations after T4 infection do not appear to be attributable to changes in pre-existing host sRNA molecules. 12 references.