The kinetics of degradation of bacterial deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) after infection of Escherichia coli with T4D, ultraviolet-irradiated T4D, and two amber mutants, N122 and N94, was studied by zone sedimentation through linear glycerol gradients. Within 5 min after infection with any of the bacteriophages, breakdown of host genome was evident. The first product was a high-molecular-weight material (50 S to 70 S ) and further degradation appeared to occur in discrete steps. Rapid and extensive breakdown of bacterial DNA was seen after infection with am N122 and T4D. Infection with ultraviolet-irradiated phage or with am N94 resulted in an accumulation of high-molecular-weight material. These results suggest that the observed degradation of host DNA begins early and requires sequential action of several phage-induced endo- as well as exodeoxyribonucleases.