Abstract
Inhibitory action of sodium tripolyphosphate (Na-TPP) to P-phages growth was studied. Na-TPP had no phagicidal action, did not prevent adsorption of phage and inhibited for-mation of infected cells. Furthermore, no phase yield occurred when Na-TPP was added within 5 min of infection, but addition after that time resulted in normal phage growth. DNA synthesis of infected cells was blocked by Na-TPP added early in the latent period (within 5 min), but addition after that time failed to block its synthesis. RNA synthesis of infected cells was not affected even when Na-TPP was added at various times in the latent period. Furthermore, 72 per cent of 32P-labeled phage P-1 adsorbed in the medium containing Na-TPP was separated by the blendor treatment, but only 12 per cent was separated when adsorbed in the absence of Na-TPP. These results indicate that Na-TPP inhibits the injection of phage DNA into the host cell.
