Characteristics and classification of incC group plasmid-dependent phage C-1

Incompatibility group C plasmid-specific bacteriophage C-1 has a buoyant density of 1.43 g/cm3, a sedimentation coefficient of 80-82S, and a molecular weight of 4 x 10(6). It contains approximately 33% nucleic acid, which has been identified as linear single-stranded RNA of molecular weight (1.3 +/- 0.1) x 10(6). These characteristics, in conjunction with particle morphology and resistance to chloroform and diethyl ether, suggest that phage C-1 belongs to the Leviviridae group of phages.