Related Experiment Videos

Miniphage-a class of satellite phage to M13

J A Hewitt

    The Journal of General Virology
    |January 1, 1975
    PubMed

    Insights

    Defective bacteriophage particles, called miniphage, can arise in coliphage M13 stocks. These miniphage use wild-type bacteriophage as a helper for replication and can be isolated using a new method.

    Area of Science:

    • Virology
    • Molecular Biology
    • Genetics

    Background:

    • Coliphage M13 is a widely used bacteriophage in research.
    • Extensive recycling of M13 stocks can lead to the accumulation of defective or satellite particles.
    • These defective particles, termed miniphage, can interfere with experiments or represent a novel research subject.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To characterize the physical properties of miniphage found in M13 stocks.
    • To describe the replication mechanism of miniphage using wild-type bacteriophage as a helper.
    • To develop a method for isolating specific satellite bacteriophage.

    Main Methods:

    • Characterization of miniphage physical properties including UV spectra, DNA sedimentation, bacteriophage sedimentation, and electrophoretic mobility.
    • Analysis of miniphage replication in the presence of helper wild-type bacteriophage.
    • Development and application of an isolation protocol for specific satellite bacteriophage.

    Main Results:

    • Miniphage exhibit distinct physical properties compared to wild-type M13.
    • Miniphage are capable of replication when supplied with a helper wild-type bacteriophage.
    • A method for the isolation of specific satellite bacteriophage from M13 stocks was successfully developed.

    Conclusions:

    • Miniphage are a common occurrence in extensively recycled coliphage M13 stocks.
    • Understanding miniphage properties is crucial for M13-based research.
    • The developed isolation method enables the study of specific satellite bacteriophage populations.

    Related Concept Videos