Phage T4 infection restricts rRNA synthesis by E. coli RNA polymerase

RNA polymerase from T4 infected cells supplemented with E. coli sigma polypeptide has a lower affinity for rRNA promoters than RNA polymerase from uninfected cells. The pattern of transcription by the phage modified polymerase is qualitatively similar to that of the vegetative polymerase in the presence of ppGpp. We suggest that E. coli polymerase holoenzyme normally exists in at least two conformational states, one with a high affinity for rRNA promoters and another with a low affinity, and that T4 infection stabilises the low affinity form.