Abstract
The suppression of polarity by UV irradiation was similar to the suppression by rho mutants. This was demonstrated for a polar nonsense mutant of phage phi X174. Treatment of the host for 30 min with 100 micrograms of the radiomimetic drug mitomycin C per ml was about as effective as 550 J of UV irradiation per m2 in relieving polarity. The shape of the UV survival curves for rho mutants could be linked to a proposed mechanism of UV relief of polarity. Host cell reactivation of phage lambda and W-reactivation of phage G4 were unaffected by rho mutations. UV suppression of polarity is independent of the Hcr- and RecA- phenotypes. An explanation for the UV sensitivity of rho mutants is provided, and several ways are considered in which UV irradiation may deplete cellular rho activity and thereby cause UV relief of polarity. We propose a novel theory that relates the UV inactivation of normal repair-proficient cells to a decrease in rho activity.
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call