Bacteriophage Ecology Group
Reference Abstracts (1986)
Dedicated to the ecology and evolutionary biology of the parasites of unicellular organisms (UOPs)
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© Phage et al. last updated on Wednesday, December 26, 2001

  1. Prophage induction by ultraviolet light in Acinetobacter calcoaceticus. Berenstein, D. (1986). Journal of General Microbiology 132 ( Pt 9):2633-2636. UV-induction of prophage P78 of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus increased with the UV-dose given to the lysogenic strain from the spontaneous induction frequency of about 0.8% to a maximal frequency of 10%. This 10- to 20-fold increase of induction frequency, as measured by the number of infective centres, was accompanied by a 1000-fold increase in the yield of free phage. This effect was probably due to an increase in burst size under the conditions of lysogenic induction. Unusually, the lysogen was more resistant to UV-irradiation than the corresponding non-lysogenic strain. [TOP OF PAGE]

  2. Evidence for lysogeny and viral resistance in the cyanobacterium Phormidium uncinatum. Bisen, P.S., Audholia, S., Bhatnagar, A.K., Bagchi, S.N. (1986). Current Microbiology [CURR. MICROBIOL. ] 13:1-5. Cyanophage LPP-1-induced lysogens and a resistant mutant of the cyanobacterium Phormidium uncinatum were isolated and characterized. In lysogens, spontaneous lysis occurred and increased with the growth of the host cyanobacterium. The virus-liberating property of the lysogens was not lost with the viricidal concentration of EDTA, and the titer obtained was > 3 plus or minus 10 super(3) PFU ml super(-1). Heat and UV treatment of lysogens failed to induce lysis, but mitomycin C induced lysis by fivefold. The adsorption rate of the virus on the lysogens was slower than on the sensitive parent host. [TOP OF PAGE]

  3. SPREAD OF PHAGE RESISTANT STRAINS OF PSEUDOMONAS-AERUGINOSA. BLOKHINA, I.N., IVANOVA, N., I, Mazepa, V.N., Kulakov, L.A., Boronin, A.M. (1986). Zhurnal Mikrobiologii Epidemiologii i Immunobiologii 14-18. Spread of phage resistant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.The sensitivity of a number of P. aeruginosa clinical strains to virulent bacteriophages has been studied. Phage-resistant strains have been found to constitute a considerable proportion among the tested P. aeruginosa strains. The strains under study fall into 19 groups differing in their sensitivity to the bacteriophages used in this investigation. The strains belonging to some groups are phenotypically identical to experimentally obtained P. aeruginosa phage-resistant mutants PAO. The use of bacteriophage mutants has made it possible to demonstrate that in most cases the resistance to P. aeruginosa natural strains to type .phi.k phages is due to disturbances in their absorption, whereas their resistance to type .phi.m and .phi.mn phages is, seemingly, not linked with disturbances in their capacity for adsorption on the cell membranes of the bacteria. [TOP OF PAGE]

  4. Phage-typing system for Salmonella hadar of animal origin. Bouzoubaa, K., Nagaraja, K.V., Newman, J.A., Pomeroy, B.S. (1986). Avian Diseases 30:358-361. A phage-typing system for Salmonella hadar was developed. Fifteen phages isolated from untreated sewage were used to phage-type 55 isolates of S. hadar recovered from avian and other animal species. Twenty-four distinct phage types of S. hadar were established based on lysis patterns. Methods involved in the isolation for bacteriophages for a particular serotype and the importance of bacteriophage typing is discussed in the context of the importance of S. hadar. [TOP OF PAGE]

  5. Fungal virology: An overview. Buck, K.W. (1986). pp. 1-84. In In Buck, K.W. (ed.), Fungal Virology. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL. [TOP OF PAGE]

  6. Fungal Virology. Buck, K.W. (1986). CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida.Since their discovery 25 years ago, fungal viruses have created a new field of study in mycology and virology. Of common occurrence in fungal populations, in some of their properties they resemble traditional viruses, whereas in others their genomes have similarities to plasmids. In addition, some recently described virus-like particles have been shown to be intermediates in teh movement of transposable elements (Ty elements) around the yeast genome, and Ty elements may be regarded as members of a group of retrotransposons which include the copia element in Drosophila as well as animal retroviruses. As our knownledge of the molecular biology of the cell increases, traditional boundaries between viruses and other cellular genetic elements are breaking down, and instead of attempting to precisely define a virus it is possibly more useful to incorporate the phenomenon of virus-host interactions into a more comprehensive picture of heredity. [TOP OF PAGE]

  7. Myxobacterial predation of the cyanobacterium Phormidium luridum in aqueous environments. Burnham, J.C., Collart, S., Daft, M. (1986). Arch. Microbiol. 137:220-225. [TOP OF PAGE]

  8. Predatory Myxobacteria: Lytic Mechanisms and Prospects as Biological Control Agents for Cyanobacteria (Blue-Green Algae). Lake Restoration: Protection and Mangement. Burnham, J.C., Fraleigh, P. (1986). U.S.EPA Symposium Volume EP-A4401/583001, 249-256. [TOP OF PAGE]

  9. Evolution of the lambdoid phages. Campbell, A., Botstein, D. (1986). pp. 365-380. In In Hendrix, R.W., Roberts, J.W., Stahl, F.W., and Weisberg, R.A. (eds.), Lambda II. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. The purpose of this paper is to attempt to explain the origin of bacteriophage l. For such an explanation to make sense, we must first define what we mean by "lambda," for there is abundant experimental evidence that the organisms that we call by this name are members of a large family of similar temperate bacteriophages that share the same genome organization and the same life-style. Furthermore, members of the lambdoid family can still undergo exchanges of genes or groups of genes, producing clearly different but, nevertheless, perfectly functional lambdoid phages. [TOP OF PAGE]

  10. PSEUDOMONAS-SYRINGAE PATHOVAR SAVASTANOI LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDE AS RECEPTOR OF A NEW BACTERIOPHAGE. CANAS, L.A., SANTAOLALLA, M. (1986). Canadian Journal of Microbiology 32:73-78. Pseudomonas syringae pathovar savastanoi lipopolysaccharide as receptor of a new bacteriophage.A new bacteriophage was found growing on Pseudomonas syringae pv. savastanoi isolates from knots of diseased spanish olive trees. The bacteriophage had a contractile tail (type A1 of Bradley's classification: Myoviridae) of 60 .times. 14 nm and an icosahedral head (diameter, 45 nm) which contains DNA. Lipopolysaccharide from the outer membrane of the host bacteria was found to be the specific receptor for the bacteriophage. Phage inactivation was measured as a percentage decrease in plaque-forming units and by electron microscopy. This lipopolysaccharide showed an ultrastructure and chemical composition very similar to those obtained from other Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria. Mild hydrolysis of the lipopolysaccharide with 1% acetic acid liberated the carbohydrate moiety (degraded polysccharide) from the lipid A. After hydrolysis, monosaccharides and fatty acids were studied by gas-liquid chromatography. The polysaccharide was mainly composed of rhamnose glucose, and 2-keto-3-deoxyoctulosonic acid; the lipid A contained glucosamine, phosphate, and fatty acids, both hydroxylated (3-OH 10:0, 2-OH 12:0, and 3-OH 12:0) and nonhydroxylated (12:0, 16:1, and 16:0). [TOP OF PAGE]

  11. CHARACTERIZATION OF FIVE MICROMONOSPORA BACTERIOPHAGES. Caso, J.L., Hardisson, C., Suarez, J.E. (1986). Journal of General Microbiology 132:3367-3374. Characterization of five Micromonospora bacteriophages.Some general characteristics of five phages (Mm1, .vphi.M2, .vphi.M3, Mm4 and Mm5) infecting Micromonospora are presented. All were naked, showing an icosahedral head and long non-contractile tail; they differed in their size and the presence of specific structures at the end of the tail. The phages were temperate, and four immunity groups were delimited (Mm4 and Mm5 were in the same group). Mm4 and Mm5 produced plaques on 15 of 20 strains of Micromonospora tested, whereas the remaining three phages could infect only Micromonospora sp. IMET 8002. Nop phage was able to infect any of four Streptomyces strains tested. Phages Mm4 and Mm5 both exhibited a buoyant density of 1.513 .+-. 0.002 g ml-1 in CsCl density gradients, and showed a similar pattern of structural polypeptides. All five phages had a single molecule of double-stranded DNA; their sizes (kb) were 50.6 (Mm1), 18.9 (.vphi.M2), 65.5 (.vphi.M3), 44.0 (Mm4) and 44.4 (Mm5), as determined after digestion with 13 restriction enzymes. The restriction patterns of Mm4 and Mm5 showed the presence of common size fragments. [TOP OF PAGE]

  12. BACTERIOPHAGES F-OLAC H SR SF PHAGES WHICH ABSORB TO PILI ENCODED BY PLASMIDS OF THE S-COMPLEX. Coetzee, J.N., Bradley, D.E., Hedges, R.W., HUGHES, V.M., MCCONNELL, M.M., DU, T.O.I.T., TWEEHUYSEN, M. (1986). Journal of General Microbiology 132:2907-2918. Bacteriophages Folac h, SR, SF: Phages which absorb to pili encoded by plasmids of the S-complex.Phage FOlac is an RNA-containing phage which plates only on strains carrying the plasmid EDP208, a pilus depressed derivative of the unique incompatibility plasmid FOlac. A host range mutant, phage FOlac h, was selected which plated on strains carrying the ungrouped plasmid pPLS::Tn5 and lysed strains carrying another ungrouped plasmid TP244::Tn10 or the Com9 plasmid R71. An RNA-containing phage, SR, was isolated from sewage on bacteria harbouring plasmid pPLS::Tn5. It was antigenically distinct from the above two phages but had the same host range as phage FOlac h. Phages FOlac h and SR adsorbed unevenly to the shafts of the conjugative pili. Another phage, SF, was filamentous and plated or propagated on strains carrying any of the above plasmids as well as on strains harbouring IncD or F-complex plasmids. Plasmids TP244::Tn10 and pPLS::Tn5 were compatible with representative plasmids of all Inc groups also encoding thick flexible pili. The four plasmids EDP208, R71, TP244::Tn10 and pPLS::Tn5 were compatible with one another except for the reaction of TP244::Tn10 in the presence of pPLS::Tn5 which was slightly ambiguous. The host ranges of the bacteriophages, together with the serological relatedness of the thick flexible pili determined by these four compatible plasmids, suggested that they constitute a new complex, here designated S. [TOP OF PAGE]

  13. Role of lipopolysaccharide and capsule in the serum resistance of bacteremic strains of Escherichia coli. Cross, A.S., Kim, K.S., Wright, D.C., Sadoff, J.C., Gemski, P. (1986). J. Infect. Dis. 154:497-503. To define the relative roles of capsule and lipopolysaccharide in the virulence of Escherichia coli obtained from blood, we compared the behavior of K1- and K5-encapsulated strains in serum bactericidal and rat virulence assays. Unencapsulated isogenic mutants selected from five parent strains of E. coli O12:K1, but not of O18:K1 or O7:K1 (all rough-specific phage insensitive), were lysed by normal human sera. In contrast, isogenic mutants from strains of serotypes O6:K5 and O18:K5 retained the serum resistance of the parent strains. There was a greater than 10(5) difference in LD50 in newborn rats between K1-positive and K1-negative pairs of E. coli serotypes O18 and O7 and a greater than 1 log difference between isogenic pairs of serotype O12; however, the K5 isogenic pairs had a similar LD50. Some non-O6 O serotypes, however, required the K5 capsule for serum resistance. We conclude that some O serotypes require encapsulation for optimal virulence but that other O serotypes may not. [TOP OF PAGE]

  14. Lysis of Phormidium luridum by Myxococcus fulvus in Continuous Flow Culture. Daft, M.J., Burnham, J., Yamamoto, Y. (1986). J. Appl. Bacteriol. 59:73-80. [TOP OF PAGE]

  15. Two groups of capsule-specific coliphages coding for RNA polymerases with new promoter specificities. Dietz, A., Andrejauskas, E., Messerschmid, M., Hausmann, R. (1986). J. Gen. Virol. 67 ( Pt 5):831-838. Four bacteriophages (A16, CK235, phi 1.2 and K31) which specifically attack different encapsulated strains of Escherichia coli have been shown to be related to bacteriophage T7 (which is unable to grow on encapsulated hosts). The conclusion that phages A16 and CK235 are related to T7 is based on similarities in the pattern of expression of intracellular phage proteins, early appearance, in infected host cells, of a phage DNA-specific RNA polymerase and hybridization (albeit to a low extent) of A16 DNA and of CK235 DNA to T7 DNA. The first two criteria also apply to phages phi 1.2 and K31 but hybridization of their DNAs with T7 DNA could not be detected. The RNA polymerases of CK235 and A16 have similar template specificities and the same applies to the RNA polymerases of phi 1.2 and K31. None of the new RNA polymerases can use T7 DNA as template. [TOP OF PAGE]

  16. Characterization of bacteriophages infecting Streptomyces erythreus and properties of phage-resistant mutants. Donadio, S., Paladino, R., Costanzi, I., Sparapani, P., Schreil, W., Iaccarino, M. (1986). J. Bacteriol. 166:1055-1060. Three bacteriophages infecting Streptomyces erythreus, called G3, G4 and G5, were isolated and characterized. They contain double-stranded linear DNA molecules with cohesive ends. The restriction map of G3 DNA (48 kilobases long) for four restriction endonucleases and that of G4 DNA (43 kilobases long) for seven restriction endonucleases are reported. Restriction analysis and hybridization experiments showed that G3 and G4 share little DNA homology, while G4 and G5 are apparently identical except for an additional EcoRI site present in G5. The region containing this EcoRI site has been mapped on G4 DNA. Microbiological and serological data showed that G5 is very similar to G4. G3- and G4-resistant mutants of S. erythreus PS1 were isolated. The screening of phage-resistant mutants showed a high frequency of strains with increased erythromycin production. The mechanism of phage resistance of strain PS3 (G3 resistant) and of strain PS16 (G4 resistant) was examined. The DNA of the resistant strains contains no phage DNA, ruling out lysogeny as a cause of phage resistance. Transfection of strains PS1, PS3, and PS16 with DNA of the three phages showed the same efficiency, indicating that resistance is at the level of the bacterial wall. [TOP OF PAGE]

  17. Inactiviation of phage by near-ultraviolet radiation and hydrogen peroxide. Eisenstark, A., Buzard, R.L., Hartman, S. (1986). Photochem. Photobiol. 44:603-606. [TOP OF PAGE]

  18. Ingestion and viral accumulation in Ameghinomya antiqua (Ingesta y acumulacion viral en Ameghinomya antiqua). Garcia, Q., Wagner, M., Larsen, I., Enriquez, R. (1986). Medio ambiente. Valdivia [MEDIO AMBIENTE. ] 8:33-38. Using infective suspensions of lambda phages a method was designed for the measurement of the ingestion, accumulation and elimination of virions by Ameghinomya antiqua . It was shown that the viral populations decreases in seawater and that the phages accumulate in the hepatopancreas. When infected A. antiqua are cultured in sterile seawater they undergo a self elimination mechanism by excreting infecting phage particles through their faeces. [TOP OF PAGE]

  19. ??? Gardiner, W., Eigen, M., Biebricher, C.K., Husimi, Y., Keweloh, H.-C., Obst, A. (1986). p. 17-??? AnonymousProceedings of the Second International Workshop on Modeling of Chemical Reactions. Heidelberg. [TOP OF PAGE]

  20. Population dynamics of Azospirillum brasilense and its bacteriophage in soil. Germida, J.J. (1986). Plant and Soil 90:117-128. [TOP OF PAGE]

  21. EXPRESSION OF PSEUDOMONAS-AERUGINOSA TRANSPOSABLE BACTERIOPHAGES IN THE CELLS OF PSEUDOMONAS-PUTIDA I. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE LYSOGENIC STATE AND EFFECTIVENESS OF LYTIC GROWTH. GORBUNOVA, S.A., YANENKO, A.S., AKHVERDYAN, V.Z., REULETS, M.A., Krylov, V.N. (1986). Genetika 21:1455-1463. Expression of Pseudomonas aeruginosa transposable bacteriophages in the cells of Pseudomonas putida: I. Establishment of the lysogenic state and effectiveness of lytic growth.Expression of transposable phages (TP) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the cells of P. putida was studied. The high efficiency of phage lytic development was shown both as a consequence of zygotic induction after transfer of the RP4::TPc+ plasmid into nonlysogenic recipients, and as a result of heat induction of lysogens PpG1(D3112cts15). The high phage yield (20-25 particles of D3112cts phage per one cell of P. putida) is an evidence for a high level of transposition in the cells of this bacterial species. Plasmids RP4::TP are transferred into cells of PpG1 and PAO1 with similar frequency. However, the efficiency of establishment of the lysogenic state is lower in PpG1. Transposable phages of P. aeruginosa can integrate into the chromosome of PpG1 producing stable inducible lysogens. The presence of RP4 in the P. putida cells is not necessary for expression of transposable phages. The transposable phage D3112cts15 can be used in experiments of interspecies transduction of plasmids and chromosomal genes. [TOP OF PAGE]

  22. Practical direct plaque assay for coliphage in 100-ml samples of drinking water. Grabow, W.O.K., Coubrough, P. (1986). Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 52:430-433. A practical single-agar-layer plaque assay for the direct detection of coliphages in 100-ml samples of water was designed and evaluated. With this assay a 100-ml sample of water, an agar medium containing divalent cations, and the host Escherichia coli C (ATCC 13706) were mixed in a single container, and the mixture was plated on 10 14-cm-diameter petri dishes. It was more sensitive, reliable, and accurate than various other methods and proved rapid, simple, and economic. [TOP OF PAGE]

  23. Homologous bacteriophage control of Pseudomonas growth and beef spoilage. Greer, G.G. (1986). J. Food Prot. 49:104-109. [TOP OF PAGE]

  24. Bacteriophage control of beef spoilage. Greer, G.G. (1986). J. Food Prot. 49:104-??? [TOP OF PAGE]

  25. F-Specific RNA Bacteriophages as Model Viruses in Water Treatment Processes. Havelaar, A.H. (1986). University of Utrecht, The Netherlands. [TOP OF PAGE]

  26. Bacteriophages and indicator bacteria in human and animal faeces. Havelaar, A.H., Furuse, K., Hogeboom, W.M. (1986). J. Appl. Bacteriol. 60:255-262. [TOP OF PAGE]

  27. Bacteriophage-resistant mutants of Bacillus thuringiensis with decreased virulence in pupae of Hyalophora cecropia. Heierson, A., Siden, I., Kivaisi, A., Boman, H.G. (1986). J. Bacteriol. 167:18-24. Starting from a crystal-negative parental strain of Bacillus thuringiensis, we isolated certain bacteriophage-resistant mutants which showed decreased virulence in pupae of the cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia). These strains (class I mutants) were highly pleiotropic and showed resistance to seven or eight different phages, sensitivity to methicillin, and loss of flagella. They were also more sensitive to cecropia immune hemolymph in vitro. In addition, the export of at least three proteins was reduced. Revertants (class II mutants) were sensitive to phages, virulent, and resistant to penicillin derivatives. One class II mutant was a complete revertant in all properties examined. The other class II mutant was an incomplete revertant still susceptible to immune hemolymph and with repressed export of proteins. Virulence was not coupled to phage resistance as such or to lack of flagella because other mutants affected in these properties were virulent. Other factors which could be excluded as causes of virulence were production of extracellular protease and hemolysin. [TOP OF PAGE]

  28. Analytical research of microbial ecosystems in seawater around fishing ground: V. On the bacterial flora in the west region of the southern Ryukyu Island arc [Japan]. Hidaka, T., Shimazu, S. (1986). Memoirs of the Faculty of Fisheries Kagoshima University 34:59-69. The authors observed the bacterial flora in seawater at twelve stations across the Kuroshio from the around of Sakishima Islands to the continental shelf of the East China Sea, in July and August 1984. The seawater samples for observation were collected from 1m and 50m depth layers at the stations. The range of numbers of heterotrophic bacterial cells in the seawater samples was below 102 cfu/ml. The datum suggests that the region is oligotrophic zone. In the generic compositions of bacterial strains isolated from each sample, Pseudomonas and Vibrio predominanted in all samples, and Pseudomonas of them was the most dominant in a large number of samples. Phage sensitive strains were found mostly in Pseudomonas and Vibrio. One of them, 48 K-G107 (Pseudomonas)-phage system was distributed widely at all stations, and another one, 48 K-C106 (Vibrio campbellii)-phage system was distributed as a resident in water mass in Kuroshio. The latter will be utilized as a microbiological indicator of Kuroshio. On the other hand, the phage types of luminous bacteria, intraspecies of Vibrio fuscheri, make localization on the continental shelf, Kuroshio area, or the around of Sakishima Islands. [TOP OF PAGE]

  29. Properties of some Aeromonas salmonicida -virulent phages isolated in Japan (Honpo de bunrisareta Aeromonas salmonicida -birurento phaji no tokusei). Hidaka, T., Kawaguchi, T. (1986). Mem. Fac. Fish. Kagoshima Univ. /Kagoshimadai Suisangakubu Kiyo. 35:39-52. Virulent bacteriophages specific for Aeromonas salmonicida were isolated from water samples collected from fish farms, rivers, lakes and marshes in Japan. The isolated phages differed greatly in the fine structure of the virion, plaque morphology, spectrum of lytic action, stability and one-step growth characteristics, but they had identical serological properties. They were classified into five groups. Group 1 phages consisted of an elongated hexagonal head and a tail of complex structure with a contractile sheath. The phages of groups 2, 4 and 5 had a hexagonal head and a tail with a contractile sheath. Group 3 phages exhibited a hexagonal head with a unique short tail, formed the largest clear plaque, were unstable to heating at 50 degree C for 30 min. and chloroform, and showed the shortest latent period. Phage typing with representative phage of each group may provide a rapid and sensitive means of differentiating A. salmonicida strains. [TOP OF PAGE]

  30. ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC HETERODUPLEX STUDY AND RESTRICTION ENDONUCLEASE CLEAVAGE ANALYSIS OF THE DNA GENOMES OF THREE LACTIC STREPTOCOCCAL BACTERIOPHAGES. Jarvis, A.W., Meyer, J. (1986). Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 51:566-571. Electron microscopic heteroduplex study and restriction endonuclease cleavage analysis of the DNA genomes of three lactic streptococcal bacteriophages.Three lactic streptococcal bacteriophages were compared with one another by electron microscopic analysis of heteroduplex DNA molecules. The phages were almost identical in morphology and had been isolated over a period of 10 years on different strains of Streptococcus cremoris from cheese plants situated in different parts of New Zealand. There was a high degree of homology between the DNAs, in agreement with Southern blot hybridization data reported earlier. There were, however, distinct regions of nonhomology, mostly between 0.45 and 1.71 kilobases in length, suggestive of the occurrence of block recombination events. A deletion of 2.23 kilobases in the two more recently isolated phages, or an insertion in the first isolate, was found. All three phage DNAs showed differences in restriction endonuclease cleavage sites. Alignment of the restriction endonuclease maps with the heteroduplex maps showed that differences in cleavage sites occurred most frequently in regions of nonhomology. However, differences in cleavage sites in regions of apparent homology were also detected, indicating that point mutations may have occurred in addition to block recombination events. [TOP OF PAGE]

  31. BACTERIOPHAGE INVOLVEMENT IN GROUP A STREPTOCOCCAL PYROGENIC EXOTOXIN A PRODUCTION. JOHNSON, L.P., TOMAI, M.A., SCHLIEVERT, P.M. (1986). J. Bacteriol. 166:623-627. Bacteriophage involvement in group A streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin A production.Lysogenic conversion has been suggested as a mechanism of control of group A streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin type A production. Digestion of DNA from two converting bacteriophages, 3GL16 and T12, with a variety of restriction endonucleases yielded identical DNA fragments upon electrophoresis in agarose gels. Several known A toxin-positive strains that did not appear to produce converting phage upon induction were analyzed for toxin and phage DNA. Strains, including NY5, 594, and C203S, were shown by hybridization studies to carry the A toxin gene (speA) adjacent to chromosomally inserted phage fragments, homologous to phage T12 DNA, which may represent defective converting phages. The phage T12 att site mapped adjacent to speA. These data suggest that phage T12 acquired the A toxin gene from the bacterial genome. All streptococcal strains tested that were A toxin negative by Ouchterlony immunodiffusion failed to show any hybridization to speA-specific probes. [TOP OF PAGE]

  32. Morphology of Yersinia enterocolitica phages. Kasatiya, S., Ackermann, H.-W. (1986). Annales de l Institut Pasteur - Virology 137E:59-69. [TOP OF PAGE]

  33. Characterization of coliphages recovered from foods according to temperature of infectivity. Kennedy, J.E., Jr., Wei, C.I., Oblinger, J.L. (1986). J. Food Prot. 49:952-954. [TOP OF PAGE]

  34. Methodology for enumeration of coliphages in foods. Kennedy, J.E., Jr., Wei, C.I., Oblinger, J.L. (1986). Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 51:956-962. [TOP OF PAGE]

  35. Distribution of coliphages in various foods. Kennedy, J.E., Jr., Wei, C.I., Oblinger, J.L. (1986). J. Food Prot. 49:944-951. [TOP OF PAGE]

  36. Efficiency of preventive treatment by phage preparations of children's hospital salmonellosis. Kilnadze, G.P., Gadua, M.M., Tsereteli, E.V., Mchedlidze, L.S., Birkadze, T.V. (1986). pp. 41-44. In In Kiknadze, G.P. (ed.), Intestinal Infections. Sovetskaya Meditsina, Tbilisis, Georgia. [TOP OF PAGE]

  37. [Intracellular development of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus]. Konovalova, S.M., Lambina, V.A. (1986). Mikrobiologiia 55:816-820. The intracellular growth of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus, a bacterial parasite, was studied by a light-optical method using time-lapse cinemicrography. The organism was found to be capable of growth in the periplasmic space of filamentous cells of the host bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens without any contact with the cytoplasmic membrane. Several B. bacteriovorus cells could grow simultaneously in the bdelloplasm. [TOP OF PAGE]

  38. Photosensitive DNA cleavage and phage inactivation by copper(II)-camptothecin. Kuwahara, J., Funakoshi, K., Suzuki, T. (1986). Biochemistry (American Chemical Society) 25:1216-1221. [TOP OF PAGE]

  39. PRELIMINARY CHARACTERIZATION OF BACTERIOPHAGES INFECTING THE THERMOPHILIC ACTINOMYCETE THERMOMONOSPORA. LAWRENCE, H.M., MERIVUORI, H., Sands, J.A., PIDCOCK, K.A. (1986). Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 52:631-636. Preliminary characterization of bacteriophages infecting the thermophilic actinomycete Thermomonospora.Bacteriophages lysing strains of Thermomonospora alba and T. fusca were isolated, following specific enrichment, from vegetable composts. Four Thermomonospora phages were distinguished by plaque morphology and host range. Electron microscopy of phage particles, temperature inactivation profiles, and electrophoretic analyses of major virion proteins and genomic DNA were used in the comparison and initial characterization of these phages. The four phages studied possessed polyhedral heads and long tails; genomes were linear double-stranded DNA molecules, 35 to 45 kilobases in length, which probably contain cohesive ends. Transfection of Thermomonospora protoplasts with purified genomic DNA from one of the phages was demonstrated. [TOP OF PAGE]

  40. Restriction-modification immunity and the maintenance of genetic diversity in bacterial populations. Levin, B.R. (1986). Evol. Proc. Theor. 669-688. [TOP OF PAGE]

  41. Modelling the interaction of Streptomycetes and their phage. Manchester, L. (1986). University of Liverpool. [TOP OF PAGE]

  42. THIRTEEN VIRULENT AND TEMPERATE BACTERIOPHAGES OF LACTOBACILLUS-BULGARICUS AND LACTOBACILLUS-LACTIS BELONG TO A SINGLE DNA HOMOLOGY GROUP. Mata, M., Trautwetter, A., LUTHAUD, G., Ritzenthaler, P. (1986). Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 52:812-818. Thirteen virulent and temperate bacteriophages of Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Lactobacillus lactis belong to a single DNA homology group.Thirteen virulent phages and two temperate phages of two closely related bacterial species (Lactobacillus lactis and L. bulgaricus) were compared for their protein composition, their antigenic properties, their restriction endonuclease patterns, and their DNA homology. The immunoblotting studies and the DNA-DNA hybridizations showed that the phages could be differentiated into two groups. One group contained 2 temperate phages of L. bulgaricus and 11 virulent phages of L. lactis. Inside each group, at least two common proteins of identical sizes could be detected for each phage. These proteins were able to cross-react in immunoblotting experiments with an antiserum raised against one phage of the same group. Temperate phage DNAs showed partial homology with DNAs from some virulent phages. These homologies seem to be located on the region cording for the structural proteins since recombinant palsmids coding for one of the major phage proteins of one phage were able to hybridize with the DNAs from phages of the same group. These results suggest that temperate and virulent phages may be related to one another. [TOP OF PAGE]

  43. A spontaneously produced lipopolysaccharide biosynthetic defect which causes both pleiotropic phage resistance and mucoid colony morphology in Salmonella anatum. McConnell, M.R., Foster, B.D., Davis, D.P., Kat, B., Blair, J.G., Long, R.A., Steed, M.M. (1986). Microbios 48:135-158. A spontaneously derived mutant of the smooth bacterial strain, Salmonella anatum A1, specifically blocks the DNA ejection function of bacteriophage E15 during infection. The mutant, AE15R-5, exhibits mucoid colony morphology but no evidence of colanic acid biosynthesis. It is resistant not only to bacteriophage E15, but also to all other smooth- and rough-specific phages which have been tested. Chemical, immunological and gel electrophoretic analyses indicate that its lipopolysaccharide (LPS) molecules fall into two categories: they are either highly truncated (probably heptoseless) or extremely large (complete LPS molecules with O-polysaccharides containing 80 or more repeat units). The antibiotic resistance pattern of AE15R-5 is roughly intermediate between that of a known heptoseless mutant, S. anatum MG4, and that of the parent strain, S. anatum A-1. [TOP OF PAGE]

  44. Control of lysogeny and immunity of Bacillus subtilis temperate bacteriophage SP beta by its d gene. McLaughlin, J.R., Wong, H.C., Ting, Y.E., Van, A.J., Chang, S. (1986). J. Bacteriol. 167:952-959. The d gene from the Bacillus subtilis temperate bacteriophage SP beta was isolated. When introduced into an SP beta-sensitive strain of B. subtilis, the cloned d gene directed the synthesis of a 22-kilodalton protein and conferred on the host immunity to SP beta phage. A frameshift mutation, designated d2, was introduced into the cloned d gene, and it was subsequently crossed back into the SP beta phage genome. The resulting SP beta phage grew lytically and formed clear plaques on sensitive bacteria. Although the cloned d gene confers immunity to the host, we could not detect complementation of the d gene by mixed infection with SP beta d2 and various SP beta c mutants. The nucleotide sequence of the 1,033-base-pair PstI-to-EcoRI fragment containing the d gene was determined; it includes an open reading frame that could potentially encode a protein of 227 amino acids. The gene was mapped within the PstI H fragment on the phage genome, which positions the d gene about 25 kilobases from the right end of the phage genome. It is transcribed from right to left. [TOP OF PAGE]

  45. A remarkable amino acid homology between a phage T4 tail fiber protein and ORF314 of phage lambda located in the tail operon. Michel, C.J., Jacq, B., Argu#e's, D.G., Bickle, T.A. (1986). Gene 44:147-150. [TOP OF PAGE]

  46. Measurement of the mutations rates of animal viruses: influenza A virus and polio virus type 1. Parvin, J.D., Moscona, A., Pan, W.T., Leider, J.M., Palese, P. (1986). J. Virol. 59:377-383. [TOP OF PAGE]

  47. Lambdoid coliphages conferring a novel pattern of phage sensitivity on Escherichia coli K12. Poon, A.P., Dhillon, T.S. (1986). J. Gen. Virol. 67 ( Pt 12):2781-2784. Seven temperate coliphages recovered from naturally occurring lysogenic strains of Escherichia coli were found to lyse E. coli C but not K12. Four of these C-specific phages produced mutants (hrk) able to grow on K cells. The K cells harbouring HK253hrk and HK183hrk were converted so that they could adsorb and be lysed by three other non-mutant C-specific phages. HK253, HK183 and two other phages were shown to recombine with phage lambda. [TOP OF PAGE]

  48. Plaque dot assay. Powell, R., Neilan, J., Gannon, F. (1986). Nucleic Acids Research 14:1541 [TOP OF PAGE]

  49. VIRULENT AND TEMPERATE BACTERIOPHAGES OF STREPTOCOCCUS-FAECIUM STRAIN SF 77R. PRESTINI, P.A., BOSI, F., Bottazzi, V. (1986). Annali di Microbiologia ed Enzimologia 35:243-254. Virulent and temperate bacteriophages of Streptococcus faecium strain SF 77R.Two new virulent phages of Str. faecium SF 77R have been isolated. Both of them were responsable of fermentation failure because of their lytic action against the host strain. They were morphologically indistinguishable and presented the same host range, but other physiological characteristics and the restriction endonuclease patterns of their DNAs permitted to classify them as distinct phages. Moreover the probiotic strain Str. faecium SF 77R was found to be still lysogenic. The ultrastructure of the temperate phage was different from that of the other virulent phages and it appeared to be genetically different too. The significance of it's presence in this starter strain will be the objective of the next studies. Attempts to cure the lysogenic strain will be undertaken and the phage resistance of the cured clones will be evaluated together with other technologically important characters. [TOP OF PAGE]

  50. Prevention and treatment of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated lymphoproliferative diseases in immune deficient patients. Purtilo, D.T. (1986). AIDS Research 2 Suppl 1:S177-S181 Prevention of EBV-associated lymphoproliferative diseases in immune deficient individuals is preferred; however, standard therapy for the B cell lymphomas has been successful. Chemotherapy must be given cautiously lest further immune compromise result in opportunistic infections. Recently, Acyclovir has decreased morbidity of patients with acute infectious mononucleosis in immune competent persons. In contrast, immunodeficient patients with X-linked lymphoproliferative (XLP) syndrome do not seem to respond favorably. Hence, a prospective study is underway using prophylactic immunoglobulin containing (EBV)-specific antibodies. The mortality rate is 85% following EBV infection in XLP due to fatal infectious mononucleosis associated with fulminant hepatitis and virus-associated hemophagocytic syndrome, acquired hypogammaglobulinemia or malignant B cell lymphoma. We can detect XLP by noting failure of switching from IgM to IgG antibody production on secondary challenge with bacteriophage phi X174. Also, linkage studies with the XLP locus using restriction fragment length polymorphisms are being done to detect affected males pre-EBV infection. Our rationale for prevention of phenotypes of XLP is based on observations that infants in tropical Africa and males with XLP do not develop EBV-induced diseases while neutralizing maternal antibodies are present. An EBV vaccine will be used, when available, in seronegative males with XLP. Prevention of acquired immune deficiency by screening blood for human immune deficiency virus, encouraging prudent life styles, development of specific immunosuppressive agents, development of new antiviral agents (i.e., DHPG), and identification of high risk seronegative patients offer possibilities for preventing life-threatening EBV-induced diseases. [TOP OF PAGE]

  51. Studies on ultrastructure and host range of a Chlorella attacking virus. Reisser, W., Becker, B., Klein, T. (1986). Protoplasma 135:162-165. [TOP OF PAGE]

  52. T-even type phages can change their host range by recombination with gene 34 (tail fibre) or gene 23 (head). Riede, I. (1986). Molecular and General Genetics 205:160-163. [TOP OF PAGE]

  53. BACTERIOPHAGES AND BACTERIOCINS OF THE GENUS LISTERIA. Rocourt, J. (1986). Zentralblatt fuer Bakteriologie Mikrobiologie und Hygiene Series A 261:12-28. [TOP OF PAGE]

  54. DNA RELATEDNESS AMONG LISTERIA-MONOCYTOGENES AND LISTERIA-INNOCUA BACTERIOPHAGES. Rocourt, J., Gilmore, M., GOEBEL, W., SEELIGER, H.P.R. (1986). Systematic and Applied Microbiology 8:42-47. DNA relatedness among Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria innocua bacteriophages.The genomes of seven Listeria monocytogenes and three L. innocua bacteriophages selected according to phage ultrastructure, were characterized by restriction endonuclease digestion and cross hybridization by the method of Southern. The phage genomes were found to be linear, double-stranded DNA molecules ranging from 35.4 to 42.3 kbp in size. The DNA isolated from each phage gave characteristic electrophoretic patterns when digested with several restriction endonucleases. Phages were divided by cross hybridization into three genomic groups. One group corresponded to a single phage of the Myoviridae family and the two others included phages of the Styloviridae species 2671 and 2685, respectively. [TOP OF PAGE]

  55. Characteristics of the developmental cycle of actinophage phi C31. Rodriguez, A., Caso, J.L., Hardisson, C., Suarez, J.E. (1986). Journal of General Microbiology 132 ( Pt 6):1695-1701. Some characteristics of the lytic development of the temperate phage phi C31 in Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) were studied using a thermoinducible lysogen. The physiological state of the host and the culture medium influenced the production of progeny virus after induction. The latent period lasted 45 min and the rise period 20-30 min. RNA synthesis in induced cultures was reduced with respect to controls. This reduction was restricted to cellular transcription as evidenced by: no stable RNA being synthesized in induced cultures, and the proportion of phage specific RNA increasing from 0.5% before induction to more than 30% in induced cultures. Host RNA synthesis proceeded throughout the lytic cycle. Protein synthesis was also reduced in induced cultures, although to a lesser extent than RNA synthesis. Phage DNA synthesis started at around 10 min postinduction, marking the division between the early and late periods of phage development. Host DNA synthesis occurred during the first 20 min after induction, and gradually decreased later. [TOP OF PAGE]

  56. Conjugal strategy for construction of fast acid-producing, bacteriophage-resistant lactic streptococci for use in dairy fermentations. Sanders, M.E., Leonhard, P.J., Sing, W.D., Klaenhammer, T.R. (1986). Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 52:1001-1007. [TOP OF PAGE]

  57. Ultrastructure and host specificity of bacteriophages of Streptococcus cremoris, Streptococcus lactis subsp. diacetylactis and Leuconostoc cremoris from Finnish fermented mild "Viili.". Saxelin, M.-L., Nurmiaho-Lassila, E.-L., Merilainen, V.T., Forsen, R.I. (1986). Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 52:771-777. [TOP OF PAGE]

  58. Characterization of viruses infecting a eukaryotic Chlorella-like green alga. Schuster, A.M., Burbank, D.E., Meister, B., Skrdla, M.P., Meints, R.H., Hattman, S., Swinton, D., Van Etten, J.L. (1986). Virology 150:170-177. [TOP OF PAGE]

  59. Molecular evolution of bacteriophages: Evidence of selection against the recognition sites of host restriction enzymes. Sharp, P.M. (1986). Molecular Biology and Evolution 3:75-83. [TOP OF PAGE]

  60. The isolation and characterization of bacteriophages infecting obligately thermophilic strains of Bacillus. Sharp, R.J., Ahmad, S.I., Munster, A., Dowsett, B., Atkinson, T. (1986). Journal of General Microbiology 132 ( Pt 6):1709-1722. Twenty-four thermophilic bacteriophages have been isolated from diverse sources such as compost, soil, silage and rotting straw. Although considerable individual host specificity was observed, the phages were able to infect most of the major taxonomic groups of Bacillus thermophiles. The phages varied considerably in morphology and size; the phage heads were either cylindrical or polyhedral with tails varying in length between 15 and 500 nm. Most of the phages were stable at 50 degrees C for 4-5 h but at 70 degrees C the plaque-forming units decreased by between 10(2)- and 10(7)-fold in 2 h. The DNA of morphologically similar phages was examined by restriction enzyme analysis, and some differences in the DNA fragment patterns were found. Efficiency of plating data indicated that 'B. caldotenax' has a restriction and modification system. These phages may be valuable for the study of the genetics of thermophilic bacilli: transduction of 'B. caldotenax' and 'B. caldovelox' by phage JS017 has been observed. [TOP OF PAGE]

  61. Comparison of positively charged membrane filters and their use in concentrating bacteriophages in water. Shields, P.A., Ling, T.F., Tjatha, V., Shah, D.O., Farrah, S.R. (1986). Water Res. 20:145-151. [TOP OF PAGE]

  62. Concentration of viruses in beef extract by flocculation with ammonium sulfate. Shields, P.A., Farrah, S.R. (1986). Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 51:211-213. [TOP OF PAGE]

  63. Behaviour of temperate phage Mu in Salmonella typhi. Soberon, M., Gama, M.J., Richelle, J., Martuscelli, J. (1986). Journal of General Microbiology 132 ( Pt 1):83-89. We have developed a convenient system for genetic analysis of Salmonella typhi exploiting the properties of the mutator phage Mu. In spite of the fact that wild-type Salmonella typhi strains do not allow Mu to form plaques on them, we have shown that these strains are actually sensitive to the phage. It proved possible to use Mu to induce mutations and to promote intra- and interspecific genetic transfer, without having to introduce the phage into the bacteria by means other than infection. Furthermore, we isolated Salmonella typhi derivatives on which Mu formed plaques, and studied the behaviour of Mu in these and wild-type strains. [TOP OF PAGE]

  64. Natural and Acquired Plasmid-Encoded Baceriophage Resistance and Physical Protection from Lytic Bacteriophage in Group N Streptococci (Frmentation). Steenson, L.R. (1986). North Carolina State University. Streptococcus cremoris M12R single colony isolates were found to be heterogeneous in plasmid composition, proteinase activity, and resistance to the bacteriophage m12r(.)M12. Proteinase activity, present in 50% of the culture, was correlated to a 13 megadalton (Mdal) plasmid, pLR2013. Phage resistance, present in 4% of the population, was expressed as restriction and modification activities and was correlated to a 20 Mdal plasmid, pLR1020. Phage resistance was conjugally transferred from Streptococcus lactis ME2 to S. cremoris M12R, resulting in transconjugants completely resistant to m12r(.)M12 phage. Phage resistance in the transconjugants was not due to R/M nor to decreased phage adsorption. Acquisition of plasmid pTR2030 was responsible for phage resistance as well as high-frequency conjugal ability in the transconjugants. Phage resistance was effective against five additional phages isolated from industrial sources and was not inactivated at elevated temperatures (35-40(DEGREES)C) nor destabilized through five transfers in a starter culture activity test. A method was developed for conjugal matings among streptococcal strains employing cells entrapped in calcium alginate gel beads. Although the method did not result in increased transfer frequencies over conventional solid-surface mating methods, it provides a technique in which experimental parameters can be carefully controlled during the conjugal matings. Cultures of lactic streptococci immobilized in calcium alginate gel beads and grown in milk were protected from attack by virulent bacteriophage. The immobilized cultures were functionally proteinase-deficient and produced acid at a slower rate than free cells. Use of immobilized cells may be advantageous in certain dairy fermentations due to the protection afforded against phage attack. [TOP OF PAGE]

  65. Influence of soil mineral colloids on metabolic processes, growth, adhesion, and ecology of microbes and viruses. Stotzky, G. (1986). pp. 305-428. In In Huang, P.M. and Schnitzer, M. (eds.), Interactions of Soil Minerals with Natural Organics and Microbes. Soil Science Society of America, Madison, WI. [TOP OF PAGE]

  66. Isolation and characterization of a lipopolysaccharide-specific bacteriophage of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Temple, G.S., Ayling, P.D., Wilkinson, S.G. (1986). Microbios 45:81-91. Phage H22 was isolated from sewage using Pseudomonas aeruginosa NCTC 8505 (serotype 0:3) as the host. Although not O-specific, this phage was found to have lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as a receptor. The broad host-range and lack of O-specificity of the phage suggested that its receptor site was in the core region of the LPS. Phage H22 had a Bradley type A structure. It was unaffected by chloroform and diethyl ether, and was stable between pH 5 and 8 and in the temperature range 0 to 60 degrees C. The adsorption rate constant was 14.6 X 10(-9) ml min-1. The phage had a latent period of 43 min, with a rise time of 18 min and a burst size of 6. The adsorption of phage to whole cells and LPS occurred over a broad pH range. Maximum adsorption occurred at 50 degrees C and pH 7.5 in the presence of 0.001 M Ca2+. [TOP OF PAGE]

  67. Role of capsule and O antigen in resistance of Klebsiella pneumoniae to serum bactericidal activity. Tomas, J.M., Benedi, V.J., Ciurana, B., Jofre, J. (1986). Infect. Immun. 54:85-89. The ability of Klebsiella pneumoniae strains to resist the bactericidal activity of serum was quantitated. The K. pneumoniae strains tested included mutants lacking the capsular polysaccharide and mutants having a modified lipopolysaccharide structure. The last mutants were obtained as phage-resistant mutants, and their lipopolysaccharide was characterized by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and chemical analysis. Serum-resistant mutants derived from phage-resistant mutants (lipopolysaccharide mutants) were also characterized. Resistance to the bactericidal activity of complement was mediated by the lipopolysaccharide, especially by the O-antigen polysaccharide chains. The capsular polysaccharide seemed not to play any important role in resistance to serum bactericidal activity in this bacterium. [TOP OF PAGE]

  68. Method for determining virus inactivation during sludge treatment processes. Traub, F., Spillmann, S.K., Wyler, R. (1986). Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 52:498-503. A simple and reliable method is described which allows determination of virus inactivation rates during sludge treatment processes in situ. Bacteriophage f2 was adsorbed onto an electropositive membrane filter which was then sandwiched between two polycarbonate membranes with pores smaller than the virus diameter. The resulting sandwich was fixed in an open filter holder, and several such devices were connected before being exposed in sludge-digesting tanks. The device described prevented uncontrolled virus escape, but allowed direct contact of the various inactivating or stabilizing substances present in the environment tested with the virus adsorbed to the carrier membrane. After exposure to an environment, the surviving fraction of virus was eluted from the inner filter and determined by plaque counting. By using polycarbonate membranes without pores for sandwiching, the influence of temperature alone on virus inactivation could be measured. Thermophilic fermentation at 60 degrees C and at 65 kPa pressure led to a bacteriophage f2 titer reduction of 3.5 log10 units per h, whereas during thermophilic digestion at 54.5 degrees C titers decreased 1.2 log10 units per h. During mesophilic digestion an inactivation rate of only 0.04 log10 units per h was observed. Under these latter conditions, temperature had only a minor effect (19%) on virus inactivation, whereas at 54.5 degrees C during thermophilic digestion heat accounted for 32% of the total inactivation, and during thermophilic fermentation at 60 degrees C temperature and pressure were 100% responsible for virus denaturation. [TOP OF PAGE]

  69. [Intracellular development of Escherichia coli bacteriophages after culturing the infected bacteria under conditions of anabiosis and hypothermia]. Tsutsaeva, A.A., Vysekantsev, I.P., Mikulinskii, I. (1986). Mikrobiologiia 55:1009-1013. The intracellular growth of bacteriophages T3, T4 and phi X174 was studied in Escherichia coli cells frozen to -196 degrees C and cooled to 0 degree C at various intervals from the instant of phage infection. The processes of biosynthesis were delayed and the latent period was longer in the growth of cells frozen to -196 degrees C. The levels of RNA and protein biosynthesis as well as the yield of phages decreased when cells were frozen at a later stage of the phage growth. No changes were found in the intracellular growth processes of the phages during the subsequent cultivation of the bacterium when it was infected and then cooled to 0 degree C. [TOP OF PAGE]

  70. Survival strategies of two small marine ciliates and their role in regulating bacterial community structure under experimental conditions. Turley, C.M., Newell, R.C., Robins, D.B. (1986). Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 33:59-70. [TOP OF PAGE]

  71. BACTERIOPHAGES OF METHANOTROPHS AND THEIR DISTRIBUTION IN NATURE. Tyutikov, F.M., Bespalova, I.A., RABENTISH, B.A., ESIPOVA, V., V, ALEKSANDRUSHKINA, N., I, Tikhonenko, A.S. (1986). Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR Seriya Biologicheskaya 361-369. Bacteriophages of methanotrophs and their distribution in nature.Bacteriophags of methanotrophs are spread widely in nature: they were found in 18 from 100 analyzed samples (underground waters, waters of oil-gas-installations, water of lakes and ponds, culture liquid of fermenters, paste of methanotrophs, rumen of cattle, intestine of fishes), collected in different geographical zones of the USSR. 25 phages, 10 of which are capable of lyse strains of Methylosinus sporium only, 2 strains lyse Methylosinus trichosporium, 12 strains lyse Flavobacterium gasotypicum and, besides this, one of strains of M. sporium, one strain lyses Methylocystis species, were isolated. According to the fine stucture of virion all phages are divided into 2 types: one type is characterized by short uncontracted processes and the second.sbd.by long ones. According to morphology of negative colonies and sensitivity of phages to UV-radiation the phages are divided into 3 groups, according to serology.sbd.into 4 groups, according to spectrum of lytic effect.sbd.into 5 groups. All phages have two-chain DNA of GC-type. Molecular mass of DNA, determined by way of restricted nucleases was equal: for strains of M. sporium phagess-29.4, for strains of M. species phages-28, for strains of F. gasotypicum phages-44 and for strain cmph-1 .mchlt.fish.mchgt. -31 MD. The phages of the particular group were completely identical in all mentioned properties, but differed from the phages of the groups. Phage cmph-1 .mchlt.fish.mchgt. was differed from 11 phages of F. gasotypicum by a number of features. [TOP OF PAGE]

  72. Shielding of Escherichia coli Outer membrane proteins as receptors for bacteriophages and colicins by O-antigenic chains of lipopolysaccharide. van der Ley, P., de Graaff, P., Tommassen, J. (1986). J. Bacteriol. 168:449-451. The accessibility of several outer membrane proteins for bacteriophages and colicins in isogenic smooth and rough Escherichia coli strains was investigated. The results show that O antigen carrying lipopolysaccharide is able to prevent access of all phages and colicins tested to their outer membrane protein receptors. [TOP OF PAGE]

  73. Replication of the algal virus PBCV-1 in UV-irradiated Chlorella. Van, E.J., Burbank, D.E., Meints, R.H. (1986). Intervirology 26:115-120. The large dsDNA algal virus, PBCV-1, replicates in UV-irradiated Chlorella, albeit more slowly and with a smaller burst size than in untreated Chlorella. Irradiated cells are unable to form colonies, and endogenous RNA and DNA synthesis are reduced to background levels. Thus a fully function host nucleus is not required for PBCV-1 replication. [TOP OF PAGE]

  74. The double-stranded RNA in Trichomonas vaginalis may originate from virus-like particles. Wang, A.L., Wang, C.C. (1986). Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 83:7956-7960. A linear 5.5-kilobase double-stranded RNA, identified in many strains and isolates of the parasitic protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis in a previous study, is found largely intact in ribonuclease-treated homogenates of the parasite. It can be pelleted with membranes from the homogenate at 12,500 X g and further purified in CsCl buoyant density-gradient centrifugations. The purified sample contains the double-stranded RNA as well as one major protein with an estimated molecular mass of 85 kDa in NaDodSO4/PAGE. Electron microscopic examinations indicated the presence of icosahedral virus-like particles of 33-nm diameter in the purified preparation. The exact location of the virus in T. vaginalis is not clear, except that it is not found in the nuclear fraction and is probably membrane-bound. No free virus can be recovered from the culture medium of T. vaginalis, and no successful infection of virus-free T. vaginalis strains by purified virus has yet been accomplished. There is no viral genomic sequence identifiable in host DNA. So far as we know, it is the first time a double-stranded RNA virus has been identified in a protozoan. [TOP OF PAGE]

  75. Discovery of a specific double-stranded RNA virus in Giardia lamblia. Wang, A.L., Wang, C.C. (1986). Molecular & Biochemical Parasitology 21:269-276. Nucleic acid samples purified from trophozoites of Giardia lamblia Portland I strain contain an ethidium-stainable band that comigrates with 7.0 kilobase DNA in agarose gel electrophoresis. The band was degradable by alkali, ribonuclease A and ribonuclease T1, but the susceptibility toward the ribonucleases decreased with increasing ionic strength, suggestive of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). This identification was confirmed by electron micrographs of the purified samples, which showed linear double-stranded structures with an estimated average length of 1.5 micron. In crude homogenates of G. lamblia, this dsRNA was protected against added ribonuclease A but disappeared upon adding sodium dodecyl sulfate or proteinase K. Differential centrifugations suggested an association of the dsRNA with the nuclear fraction, but it was freed to the 109,000 X g pelletable fraction with increasing homogenization. The dsRNA was purified by CsCl buoyant density gradient centrifugations in a distinct band with a rho value of 1.368 g ml-1. Electron microscopy revealed spherical virus-like particles (VLP) with a diameter of 33 nm. VLP of similar shape and size were also identified in the nuclei of sectioned G. lamblia trophozoites. VLP yield a major protein with an estimated molecular weight of 66,000 in sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. VLP are abundant in the culture media of stationary-phase G. lamblia Portland I strain and are able to infect the G. lamblia WB strain, which is free of the virus. There is no sequence homology between the dsRNA and the nuclear DNA of G. lamblia and thus no apparent integration of viral genome into host DNA. [TOP OF PAGE]

  76. ??? Ward, R.L., Knowlton, D.R., Winston, P.E. (1986). Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 52:450-??? [TOP OF PAGE]

  77. Phage adsorption and cell adherence are motility-dependent characteristics of the gliding bacterium Cytophaga johnsonae. Wolkin, R.H., Pate, J.L. (1986). Journal of General Microbiology 132:355-367. [TOP OF PAGE]

  78. Archaebacterial virus-host systems. Zillig, W., Gropp, F., Henschen, A., Neumann, H., Palm, P., Reiter, W.-D., Rettenberger, M., Schnabel, H., Yeats, S. (1986). Syst. Appl. Microbiol. 7:58-??? [TOP OF PAGE]

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