Summary
The host controlled modifications of phage λ-DNA byEscherichia coli B, K, and C (P1) can be suppressed by preinfecting the bacteria with UV-irradiated phage T3. Since UV-irradiated T3 induces an enzyme which cleaves S-adenosylmethionine into homoserine and thiomethyl adenosine, and since S-adenosylmethionine is the only methyl group donor for DNA methylation, we conclude that methylation is a required step in the host controlled modification of λ-DNA.
T3 itself successfully infectsE. coli K and B with its nonmethylated DNA. Also, restricted phage λ or T1 will be accepted by the restrictive hostsE. coli B, K, and C(P1) if these are preinfected with UV-T3. It thus appears that T3 is capable of blocking the restriction mechanisms in these hosts.
The inability of T3 to grow on C(P1) is not understood. Since T3-DNA is restricted but not degraded into nucleotides byE. coli C(P1) we presume that degradation is not the initial step in restriction.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Arber, W.: Host specificity of DNA produced byEscherichia coli V: The role of methionine in the production of host specificity. J. molec. Biol.11, 247 (1965).
Drexler, H., and J. R.Christensen: Genetic crosses between restricted and unrestricted phage T1 in lysogenic and nonlysogenic hosts. Virology13, 31 (1961).
Dussoix, D., and W.Arber: Host specificity of DNA produced byEscherichia coli II: Control over the acceptance of DNA from infecting phage λ. J. molec. Biol.5, 37 (1962).
Fukasawa, T.: The course of infection with abnormal bacteriophage T4 containing nonglycosylated DNA onEscherichia coli strains. J. molec. Biol.9, 525 (1964).
Gold, M., R.Hausmann, U.Maitra, and J.Hurwitz: The enzymatic methylation of RNA and DNA VIII. Effects of bacteriophage infection on the activity of the methylating enzymes. Proc. nat. Acad. Sci. (Wash.)52, 292 (1964).
Harm, W.: On the relationships between host cell reactivation and UV reactivation in UV inactivated phages. Z. Vererbungsl.94, 67 (1963).
Hattman, S.: The functioning of T-even phages with unglucosylated DNA in restrictingEscherichia coli host cells. Virology24, 333 (1964).
Hill, R. F.: A radiation sensitive mutant ofEscherichia coli. Biochem. biophys. Acta (Amst.)30, 636 (1958).
Klein, A.: Mechanismen der wirtskontrollierten Modifikation des Phagen T1. Z. Vererbungsl.96, 346 (1965).
—, and W.Sauerbier: Role of methylation in host controlled modification of phage T1. Biochem. biophys. Res. Commun.18, 440 (1965).
Knight, C. A.: Chemical constitution of viruses. Advanc. Virus Res.2, 153 (1954).
Lederberg, S.: Suppression of multiplication of heterologous bacteriophages in lysogenic bacteria. Virology3, 496 (1957).
Ledinko, N.: Occurrence of 5-methyldeoxycytidylate in the DNA of phage lambda. J. molec. Biol.9, 834 (1964).
Lwoff, A.: Lysogeny. Bact. Rev.17, 269 (1953).
Weinfeld, H., and K.Paigen: Evidence for a new intermediate state of the viral chromosome during cooperative infection by host modified lambda phage. Virology24, 71 (1964).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Communicated byG. Stent
Supported by Grant No. GB 1033 R of the National Science Foundation.
Postdoctoral fellow of the “Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft”.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hirsch-Kauffmann, M., Sauerbier, W. Inhibition of modification and restriction for phages λ and T1 by co-infecting T3. Molec. Gen. Genet. 102, 89–94 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01789134
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01789134