Prophage inactivation in recB-proficient Escherichia coli K12 (lambda) lysogens after ultraviolet irradiation.

If ultraviolet irradiated, lambda-lysogenic Escherichia coli K12 bacteria are incubated for 4 to 6 h at 30 degrees C, lambda prophage becomes inactive in the non-surviving cells. This was demonstrated by the use of lambda cIts857ind1 prophage which can be induced by heat but not by ultraviolet light. An analysis with various bacterial mutants showed that RecBC recombination enzyme is required in conjunction with RecA protein for prophage inactivation.