Temperature-sensitive mutation. V. Infection of ts-mutant of RNA phage R17 and host cell metabolism

A temperature-sensitive mutant of RNA bacteriophage R17, ts24, which contains a ts-mutation in the RNA-replicating function, was used to analyze the effects of RNA phage infection on host E. coli cell metabolism in the presence and absence of phage RNA synthesis. The principal conclusions from these studies are as follows. (1) Host ribosomal RNA synthesis is inhibited by infection with R17 whether or not phage-specific RNA synthesis takes place. (2) Immediately following infection, overall protein synthesis is reduced to 10–20% of the level of synthesis occurring in noninfected cultures. (3) Phage RNA remains intact in the host cell for at least 90 min after infection. Based on these observations, a mechanism for the specific inhibition of ribosomal RNA by R17 infection was discussed.