Effect of Hydroxyurea on the Development of Bacteriophage øX174

Abstract

Hydroxyurea in an appropriate concentration inhibited DNA synthesis in Escherichia coli HF4701 (HCR-) and C (HCR+) without preventing the synthesis of protein and RNA. The drug also inhibited the formation of mature infectious particles of bacteriophage øX174 in E. coli HF4701 without preventing the synthesis of viral protein. The DNA synthesis and the phage formation were recovered upon removal of hydroxyurea.