Genetic studies of coliphage 186. II. Genes associated with phage replication and host cell lysis

DNA synthesis in coliphage 186-infected cells was investigated. Phage 186 appeared to inhibit host DNA synthesis early in infection. The subsequent synthesis of phage 186 DNA was dependent on the product of 186 gene A. The product of gene B controlled both the production of late 186 proteins and the cessation of 186 DNA synthesis, and the products of genes O and P had no influence on 186 DNA synthesis. The product of gene P controlled host cell lysis, and the product of gene O may have some regulatory function.