[Inactivation and mutagenesis of lambda phage by O-methylhydroxylamine and O-delta-aminooxybutylhydroxylamine].

The inactivation and the mutagenesis of lambda phage Cl 857 virR by O-methylhydroxylamine (OMHA) and O-delta-aminooxybuthylhydroxylamine (delta-HA) were studied. The inactivation of OMHA-treated phage was shown to be stronger in E. coli polA cells defective in DNA-polymerase I as compared to wild-type host E. coli W3350. In contrast delta-HA caused similar phage inactivation in these two strains. Wave-type kinetics of the inactivation and the mutagenesis of phage by OMHA and delta-HA was observed. delta-HA appeared to be a more effective mutagen than OMHA: it induced higher mutant yield at a given level of inactivation.