[Macromolecular organization and biochemical characteristics of the genome of phage FI-1]

The molecular weight of phage FI-1 DNA is determined by the methods of sedimentation and kinetics of reassociation, as well as from buoyant density values of virion components and specific partial volume of DNA (85X10(6) daltons). The spectral analyses showed that the distribution of guanine-cytosine pairs along the whole length of the molecule is Gaussian. The DNA content in the particle of FI-1 makes up to 41%, which is 7% less as compared to the morphologically related phage T4. The protein component analysis of phage FI-1 demonstrated that the genome of this virus is capable to encode at least 20 different proteins. Possible reasons for differences in the molecular weights of the genomes of T4 and FI-1 phages are discussed.