Studies on the Relationship Between Bacteriophage and Bacterial Host Cell

Abstract

A survey was made of the carbo-hydrate metabolism of phage-resistant mutants and the parent sensitive strain in an attempt to locate metabolic differences which might be associated with resistance and susceptibility. The resistant variants had slower rates of growth, aerobic oxidation of sugars, and dismutation of pyruvate. Anaerobic glycolysis of fructose and mannose was greater in the resistant organisms. A study of the effects of various inhibitors showed significant differences. Ethyl urethane inhibited the growth and O2 consumption of both resting and growing cells of the resistant variants to a greater degree than it did the growth and O2 consumption of the sensitive strain. Azide inhibited anerobic glycolysis by the resistant more than that by the sensitive strain. Sulfa-thiazole inhibited the growth and O2 consumption of growing cells more in the case of the resistant variants. In none of these instances are the enzymes involved identified. The resistant variants, with their lower level of activity, undoubtedly lack certain properties or systems possessed by the sensitive variants. The sensitivity or resistance could not be altered by any of the inhibitors used. No evidence was obtained to indicate a direct relationship between any of the differences found and resistance and susceptibility.