Cellular Division and Reproduction of Bacteriophage in Synchronized Cultures of Escherichia coli

Abstract

SUMMARY: Bacteriophage T2r inhibits the division of the host cell Escherichia coli B, immediately after adsorption. Synchronized cells, when infected by phage at the moment of cell division, cannot carry this process to completion. The same effect is exhibited by phage inactivated by ultraviolet light. In contrast, bacteriophage øx-174 allows infected cells to divide before lysis. Determination of the rate of synthesis and final yield of virus showed that synchronized cells from the middle period between two divisions produced the highest burst sizes, whereas the lowest burst sizes were observed in dividing cells.