Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Semester of Degree Completion

1979

Thesis Director

Kandy D. Baumgardner

Abstract

The lambdoid bacteriophages λimmλ, λimm434 and λcI are ideal subjects for the study of gene product interactions at the molecular level due to their closely related genetic makeup. Previous work in this laboratory has indicated the possibility that phage λimm is sensitive to phage λimm434cI gene product and that phage λimm434 is sensitive to phage λimmλcI gene product. The purpose of this research was to determine if the frequency of lysogeny for phage λimmλ is affected by the multiplicity of coinfection with the λimm434 phage. By comparing the graph of the frequency of lysogeny versus multiplicity of infection for λimmλ alone with the graph of the frequency of lysogeny versus multiplicity of infection for λimmλ coinfected with λimm434 it is possible to determine whether the lysogenic response of λimmλ utilizes the cI gene product of phage λimm434. The results of this study demonstrate clearly that λimm434 has no multiplicity of infection - dependent effect upon the ability of λimmλ to enter the lysogenic state. The combined results of the present study and previous work in this laboratory suggest that although the cI gene of one phage does appear to influence the reproduction of the other, the effect does not involve the primary function of cI, that is, initiation of lysogeny. This suggests that the cI gene could possibly have other functions besides producing repressor protein.

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