Abstract
RNA synthesized in ultraviolet-irradiated, φ29-infected Bacillus subtilis cells was analyzed by DNA-RNA hybridization, and acrylamide gel electrophoresis. Under the conditions used in this study, φ29-specific RNA is predominantly synthesized, while host RNA synthesis is greatly suppressed. In addition, the incorporation of 3H-uridine into φ29 RNA at early stages of phage development appears to be correlated with multiplicity of infection, and the electrophoretic patterns of RNA extracted from UV-irradiated, infected cells are comparable with those of φ29-specific RNA isolated from unirradiated, infected cells. Analysis of φ29 early RNAs by gel electrophoresis resulted in the detection of at least eight bands ranging in molecular weight from 0.9 to 0.05×106 daltons. Pulse chase experiments showed that at least two large early φ29 RNA molecules are distinguishable from the other small early φ29 RNA species in that these large RNA molecules have a rather short half-life, suggesting that low molecular weight early RNA molecules may be derived from high molecular weight RNA molecules.
