Open AccessBiological properties of the phage‐tail‐like particles from Myxococcus coralloides D
Author(s) -
Muñoz José,
Extremera Antonio L.,
Arias JoséM.,
Montoya Enrique
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1987.tb02519.x
Subject(s) - prophage , lysis , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , bacteria , bacteriophage , biophysics , biochemistry , escherichia coli , genetics , gene
Electron microscopy of preparations of the Myxocococcus coralloides D autolytic supernatants revealed the presence of phage‐tail‐like particles. The particles consisted of a core, a contractile sheath and a baseplate with fibers. The induction of the defective prophage occurred when the cultures reached the stationary phase, but the events occurring during induction did not lead to cell lysis. Particles nerver appeared during exponential growth. They were not observed when M. coralloides D grew on solid media, either. Purified samples of phage tails were able to inhibit most of the myxobacterial strains which were tested when the particles were in the extended state, but they were unable to multiply on the sensitive strains.