Growth studies of three phi chi 174 mutants in tsDNA mutants Escherichia coli

Three mutants of phi chi 174 were examined for their abilities to grow in temperature-sensitive dna,A, dnaC, dnaE, or dnaG mutants of Escherichia coli. The results indicate that the phage mutants have acquired the ability to grow in some tsDNA mutants that normally block the replication of wild-type phi chi 174. Evidence is presented indicating that the phage mutants contain one or more altered structural proteins. Several models are presented to explain how altered phage structural proteins could affect phi chi 174 replication.