Structural aberrations in T-even bacteriophage. IV. Parameters of induction and formation of lollipops.

Previous results from our laboratory have shown that when a T-even bacteriophage-infected bacterial cell was exposed to l-canavanine followed by an l-arginine chase, a monster phage particle, termed a lollipop, was formed. We now describe certain parameters concerning (i) the induction and (ii) the formation of T4 lollipops. The induction step involves a T4 late function, and can require only a 3-min exposure to l-canavanine. Short pulses of l-canavanine result in the formation of shorter lollipops indicating the presence of a possible "precursor substance" which is influenced by l-canavanine. DNA synthesis is inhibited by l-canavanine but is stimulated 20 to 40 min after the addition of l-arginine. Chloramphenicol prevents both responses indicating a possible protein involvement. The appearance of lollipops and phage was noted only after 25 min after the addition of l-arginine.