An Analysis of the Action of Proflavine on Bacteriophage Growth

Abstract

Growth of several coli phages of the T group is completely inhibited by concns. of proflavine that allow normal or subnormal multiplication of the host. Proflavine appears to block a late reaction necessary for the production of active phage, whereas some of the earlier processes leading to phage production are completed in the presence of the drug. Phage-infected bacteria in which the production of phage is inhibited by proflavine are lysed after a normal latent period, but fail to liberate any active phage particles. Complete inhibition of phage production can be obtained only if the inhibitor is introduced within 12-14 min. after infection. Ribose- and desoxyribose nucleic acids antagonize the inhibition by proflavine. Phage mutants have been isolated possessing greater proflavine tolerance than the original types.