Bacteriophage P22 tail protein gene expression

Abstract

We have found that mutations which block bacteriophage P22 head assembly at or before the DNA packaging stage (1-, 2-, 3-, 57, and 8-) cause up to a 20-fold increase in the amount of tail (gene 9) protein made during infection. This correlation seems strong enough to warrant consideration of a control mechanism in which the failure to package DNA per se causes a large increase in the synthesis of tail protein. Our results indicate that one of the repressors required for maintenance of lysogeny, the mnt gene product, may be partially responsible for this phenomenon.

Genomic analysis of bacteriophage ε34 of Salmonella entericaserovar Anatum (15+)

“…Interestingly, the P22 ant moron is thought to have a (accidental?) role in controlling the level of tailspike protein produced during infection by affecting the frequency which P Late initiated RNA polymerase molecules transcribe through the ant moron into the tailspike gene [ 76 ]. The Mnt and Arc repressors may have a role in this process, so the ant morons of Scho1, HK620, Sf6, APSE-1, APSE-2 and ϕSG1 may lack this ability.…”