F factor-mediated inhibition of bacteriophage T7 growth: increased membrane permeability and decreased ATP levels following T7 infection of male Escherichia coli.

Abstract

Cultures of uninfected and bacteriophage T7-infected male and female Escherichia coli were assayed for passive uptake of o-nitrophenyl-β-galactopyranoside and for ATP content. Relative to T7-infected female E. coli, infected male cells exhibit an increased permeability to o-nitrophenyl-β-galactopyranoside and a decrease in ATP content. Both phenomena are first observed between eight and 12 minutes after infection at 30°C and require (1) the presence of the F-factor genes which confer inhibition of phage growth and (2) phage-specific protein synthesis. These findings suggest that the abortive infection of male E. coli may represent a T7-induced structural alteration of the host membrane or a phage-induced failure of membrane-associated functions.