ABSTRACT: Development of pseudolysogeny by 3 strains of H24 was investigated in nutrient-rich liquid cultures. At first, H24(L10), a cured derivative of the lysogenic wild-type strain H24_wt, and the non-virulent mutant phiH24-2 of the wild-type phage phiH24 residing in H24_wt were used as a model phage-host system. Attempts to separate phage from pseudolysogenized cells failed due to abundantly present 'cellular PFU'. These release phage particles only after removal of the pseudolysogeny-inducing agent and do so for a period of time. Therefrom it is concluded that phage production in 'cellular PFU' was halted at various stages during the development of pseudolysogeny, depending on time of infection. Observations made with 2 lysogenic H24 strains during the course of several successive cultures are in general agreement with results obtained with the model phage-host system. The nature of the pseudolysogeny-inducing agent remains unknown. Based on information from the literature, the possibility of polysaccharide depolymerase being involved is discussed.

KEY WORDS: Marine · Bacteria · Lysogeny · Pseudolysogeny

Published in MEPS Vol. 148 (1997) on February 27
ISSN: 0171-8630. Copyright © Inter-Research, Oldendorf/Luhe, 1997