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SUMMARY: Bacteriophage Ω 8 is propagated in Escherichia coli e56b (o8: K27−: H−), a non-capsulated strain. Another non-capsulated strain, E. coli 2398 (o8:K?−:H−), is killed by bacteriophage Ω 8 without phage propagation. This strain was formerly believed to be E. coli 093:K?−:H−, cross-reacting with strain e56b. We have established chemical and serological identity of the o8-specific lipopolysaccharides of the two strains.
The o8-specific lipopolysaccharides of both strains inhibited the infection of Escherichia coli e56b with bacteriophage Ω 8 equally well. The adsorption rate constants of Ω 8 were identical for the two strains of E. coli o8. Evidence was obtained with 32P-labelled bacteriophage Ω 8 for penetration of viral DNA into both bacteria] strains. In host strain e56b, phage particle synthesis occurred normally. In strain 2398 the viral DNA was not degraded but its expression was blocked. The killing effect of D 8 on E. coli strain 2398 is supposed to be due to damage of the cytoplasmic membrane, which could not be reversed under the influence of viral information. This was indicated by a blockage of cellular respiration, β-galactoside transport and RNA as well as protein synthesis.
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