[Biosynthesis of early enzymes induced by bacteriophage T4]

The biosynthesis of early enzymes of DNA-ligase, RNA-ligase, DNA-polymerase, polynucleotide kinase, exonuclease A induced by bacteriophage T4amN82 was studied. The maximal activity of DNA-ligase was observed at the 60th min after the infection, while that of the other enzymes was revealed at the 90th min and reached 4, 45, 529, 120 and 78 units per mg of protein for DNA-ligase, RNA-ligase, polynucleotide kinase, DNA-polymerase and exonuclease A, respectively. Bacteriophage T4amN82 induced the maximal biosynthesis of the tested enzymes, when E. coli B-23 cells were grown in medium I containing trypton bacto ("Merck", West Germany) and a yeast extract ("Difco", USA). Similar events were observed when E. coli B-23 cells infected with phage T4amN82 were grown in a medium (II) with casein hydrolysate and yeast extract. Ultrasonication used for the disruption of E. coli B-23 cells infected with bacteriophage T4 had no effect on the enzyme activities.