A Generalized Transducing Phage for a Female Escherichia Coli 04

Abstract

SUMMARYThe major characteristics of a temperate phage specific, as far as is known, for one strain of Escherichia coli serotype 04 have been described. It is inactivated by ultraviolet light a t a rate characteristic of temperate phages, and it is serologically unrelated to the Pl, P22 and T phages. This phage (designated <D 04-CF) is short-tailed, contains DNA, is about 55 mp, needs no supplemental Ca2+ or Mg2+ for adsorption, shows a latent period of 46 min. and a burst size of 166, and is ultraviolet light inducible. Phage 04-CF can transduce markers to the susceptible indicator strain of E. coli (CF 2004-6). The variety of markers transduced indicates that this is another generalized transducing system for E. coli. The frequencies of transduction lie between 10" and lo-* for different markers, but vary with phage multiplicities. This strain of E. coli also acts as recipient in matings with E. coli ~1 2 strains,