Efficient suppression of the requirement for N function of bacteriophage lambda by a Rho-defective E.coli suA mutant

The E. coli suA mutant (T82), which is a suppressor of polarity by virtue of its impaired transcription termination factor (rho) activity, is shown to be an efficient suppressor of lambdaN- mutants. The relief of the N requirement by this host is reflected in a substantial restoration of growth and N-dependent beta-galactosidase expression as well as in a partial relief of polarity of N-defective phages.