TRANSCRIPTION OF THE GENOME OF φ29. ANALYSIS OF mRNA SYNTHESIZED IN UV-IRRADIATED, INFECTED BACILLUS SUBTILIS

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Abstract
RNA synthesized in UV-irradiated, .phi.29-infected B. subtilis cells was analyzed by DNA-RNA hybridization and acrylamide gel electrophoresis. Under the conditions used in this study, .phi.29-specific RNA is predominantly synthesized, while host RNA synthesis is greatly suppressed. In addition, the incorporation of 3H-uridine into .phi.29 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 .phi.29-specific RNA isolated from unirradiated, infected cells. Analysis of .phi.29 early RNA by gel electrophoresis resulted in the detection of at least 8 bands ranging in MW from 0.9-0.05 .times. 106 daltons. Pulse chase experiments showed that at least 2 large early .phi.29 RNA molecules are distinguishable from the other small early .phi.29 RNA species in that these large RNA molecules have a rather short half-life, suggesting that low MW early RNA molecules may be derived from high MW RNA molecules.