Infection of Synechococcus cedrorum by the cyanophage AS-1M : III. Cellular metabolism and phage development

Abstract

The importance of photosynthesis in the growth of cyanophage AS-1M in the unicellular blue-green alga Synechococcus cedrorum was determined. CO 2 fixation and O 2 evolution continued at high levels throughout the latent period, but decreased rapidly immediately prior to lysis. Growth of AS-1M in the dark resulted in a total cessation of phage development. Similar results were obtained when photosynthesis was perturbed by DCMU, CCCP, valinomycin, nigericin, or lack of CO 2. Supplementation by 1% glucose in the dark or in the light (+10 −5 M DCMU) restored phage development to about 10% of the control level. These results are interpreted to mean that cyanophage replication normally derives all of its energy and carbon from photosynthesis. However, infected cells do have a limited heterotrophic capacity.