Characterization of temperature-sensitive mutants of bacteriophage PM2: membrane mutants

In an effort to understand the genetic regulation of membrane morphogenesis, twenty-nine temperature-sensitive mutants of the membrane-containing bacteriophage PM2 were isolated. Characterization at restrictive temperature revealed groups showing no lysis (Groups I--IV), partial lysis (Groups V--VIII), and full lysis (groups IX--XII) of the host Pseudomonas BAL-31. When the cell lysis data are considered in conjunction with data on stimulation of viral DNA synthesis, at least six mutant groups are defined. Analysis by gel electrophoresis of the pattern of viral proteins synthesized under restrictive conditions further divides the mutants into twelve groups. Temperature shift experiments delineate early, intermediate and late mutants. Complementation data support some of these groupings. The observed low levels of complementation and recombination are discussed in terms of gene product/genome restriction, bound to the membrane at the site of infection. It is of particular interest to membrane morphogenesis that under restrictive conditions late mutants in Groups II, III and IV make empty-appearing vesicles inside the cell that are the size of virus membranes as seen in thin sections of cells in the electron microscope. Mutants ts 1 (Group II) and ts 12 (Group III) show defects in their ability to incorporate into membranes viral structural proteins sp 13 and sp 6.6. The possibility is discussed that either of these proteins control the size and shape of the viral membrane.