INFECTION OF PROTOPLASTS BY DISRUPTED T2 VIRUS

Abstract

Disrupted T2 phage preparations possessing no measurable infectivity produce infectious T2 virus after incubation with protoplasts from Escherichia coli B or a number of other bacteria normally resistant to T2 infection. Virus production occurs only in intact protoplasts, that is, in hypertonic sucrose, and requires amino acids. Although protein-free DNA isolated from T2 virus cannot produce infective virus, evidence is presented that DNA units protected by a protein shell may be involved in the production of T2 virus in protoplasts. The data presented do not establish definitely that new viral particles were being synthesized by some form of replication. Nevertheless, some form of reactivation might have occurred, involving replacement or synthesis of some portion of the virus, which then makes it possible to infect intact sensitive cells.