Development of bacteriophage F1 in Clostridium sporogenes: characterization of RNA transcripts.

RNA transcription was investigated during the development of F1 phage, which is specific for the strict anaerobe Clostridium sporogenes. RNA species transcribed during F1 phage infection were characterized with respect to time of appearance and molecular weight by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Ten mRNA species were characterized, of which five were produced early in infection and five were synthesized late in infection. All the above 10 species were transcribed from one strand of F1DNA, the heavy strand. Two additional mRNA species were transcribed from the light strand of F1 phage DNA later in infection. Throughout the F1 phage infective cycle, rRNA was continuously synthesized by cells of C. sporogenes.