Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 20, 2026

Following Cell-fate in E. coli After Infection by Phage Lambda
Published on: October 14, 2011
Three complementation groups in bacteriophage R17
1The Biological Laboratories, Havard University, Cambridge Massachusetts, USA.
Abstract:
Complementation between amber mutants of R17 reveals the existence of three phage cistrons, designated A, B and C. Cistron A specifies a protein necessary for the synthesis of infective phage particles; cistron B specifies phage coat protein; and cistron C codes for phage-specific RNA synthetase. One of the mutants of group B is a polar coat-protein mutant, unable to synthesize either phage coat protein or RNA synthetase. Two models for polarity based on the interaction between ribosomes and the phage message during protein synthesis are discussed.
Related Concept Videos
DNA Bacteriophages
Lytic Cycle of Bacteriophages
Lysogenic Cycle of Bacteriophages
Viral Recombination
Viral Replication: Lytic Cycle
Viral Replication: Lysogenic Cycle

