DNA metabolism during infection of Anacystis nidulans by cyanophage AS-1. VII. UV-induced alterations of the AS-1/A. nidulans lytic cycle.

In order to interfere specifically with either the host of phage DNA metabolism and separate the effects of new phage DNA synthesis from the effects of host cell breakdown and PIL-DNA formation, UV irradiation of either the host, A. nidulans, or intact phage AS-1, prior to infection was utilized. Several conclusions were reached. First, a photoreactivation system was present in UV-irradiated A. nidulans. Second, the complete burst size of AS-1 was severely affected by UV irradiation of cells and/or phage; third, UV treatment of cells infected with healthy phage caused an early release of phage at 12 h instead of 16 h post-infection; however, healthy cells infected with UV-irradiated phage caused a delayed release of phage as 20 h.