The effect of enzyme inhibitors on the multiplication of T2 bacteriophage.

Abstract

Screening tests on the inhibition of growth of phage T2r+ and of its host, Escherichia coli strain b, by a number of enzyme inhibitors, showed that only arsenite, borate and cyanide inhibited the phage at concentrations which were without effect on the phage alone, on its adsorption to bacteria, or on bacterial growth. In single-step experiments, the inhibitory effect of arsenite and cyanide on phage multiplication was maintained for several hours, whereas borate merely lengthened the latent period by a few minutes without decreasing the final titre. Arsenite was still effective as an inhibitor when added half way through the latent period.