Characterization of TS-mutants of cyanophage N-1 by their inactivation by physical and chemical agents

Abstract

The effect of temperature, ultraviolet (UV) light and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) on the stability of cyanophage N-1, infecting the cyanobacterium Nostoc muscorum was studied. Complete inactivation of the phage occurred at 60 degrees C in 6 mins. All the temperature-sensitive (ts) mutants exhibited faster inactivation at 50 degrees C than the wild type. UV light readily inactivated the particles of the wild giving a survival of 3.44% at a dose of 60 secs. All the ts-mutants were found to be more sensitive to UV light than the wild type. 10(-4) mol/l EDTA inactivated 40% of the wild type in 60 mins. 5 x 10(-4) mol/l EDTA inactivated the wild type nearly completely within 2 mins, while a similar inactivation of ts-mutants required only 90 secs.