THE BACTERIOPHAGES OF BACILLUS MEGATERIUM I

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Abstract
A new bacterial host-virus system, the "M" system, comprising 5 bacterial viruses (Ml, M2, M3, M4, M5) and a single host has been investigated. The serological, physical, and biological characteristics of these viruses have been studied. The neutralization reactions indicate the existence of 3 immunological groups composed of (a) Ml, M2, M3, (b) M4, (c) M5. There is evidence of nonreciprocal cross-neutralization between the Ml virus and the M2 and M3 phages. Electron photomicrographs show that Ml, M2, M3, and M5 are similar in morphologies and dimensions, while M4 appears to be different from the others. The results of the thermal inactivation of the viruses suggest a possible correlation between serol. type and thermal reaction constants. The sonic sensitivity of the viruses does not appear to be related to their morphology since M4 and M5 showed identical inactivation rates. There were some differences in the sensitivity of Ml and the M2, M3 pair to this type of inactivation. Among the 5 "M" phages differences have been found in virus-host relationships and in latent periods. Members of the first serological group showed the longest latent periods, ranging from 93 min. to 117 min., while M4 and M5 had latent periods of 58 min. and 62 min., respectively. There appears to be no great variation in burst sizes. It has been suggested that the "M" system be utilized for study since some of its characteristics are unique for bacterial-virus systems.