On the differential synthesis of proteins by T4 phage and its head protein ambor mutant

The differential synthesis of RNA by T4 phage and its head protein amber mutant B17 has been investigated. DNA and RNA of amber B17 and T4 phage infected E.Coli B cells did not show any difference in incorporation of 3H-thymidine and 14C-uridine respectively. 32P-pulse labelled RNAs isolated from T4 and amber B17 infected E. Coli B cells were separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The results indicate that differential synthesis of proteins by amber mutant may be due to the changes in the quantities and/or stabilities of different species of messenger RNAs synthesised. (M.G.B.)