[Role of proton motive force in the infection of E. coli K-12 cells by bacteriophage T4].

It was shown that infection of E. coli cells by phage T4 is suppressed, when the cells are treated by oxidative phosphorylation uncouplers. The inhibiting effects of the uncouplers manifest themselves at the stage of phage DNA entry into the cells. Study of the E. coli cells devoid of their H+-ATPase activity due to mutation showed that the infection is suppressed by a switch-off of the respiratory chain, the only generator of the proton motive force (PMF) in mutated cells. Infection of the E. coli cells containing intact H+-ATPase occured even in the case when the respiratory chain activity was inhibited. The kinetic studies showed that generation of PMF is necessary during phage DNA transport into the cells and is indispensable for phage DNA entry into bacterial cells.