Viral Protein Synthesis in Bacteriophage φ29-Infected Bacillus subtilis

Twenty-three (14)C-labeled phage phi29-specific proteins in lysates of UV-irradiated Bacillus subtilis have been resolved by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and identified by autoradiography. Included in this group of proteins are the six major structural proteins of the virion. Analysis of the temporal sequence of viral protein synthesis indicates that three groups of proteins can be identified by time of appearance, beginning at 2 to 4, 4 to 6, or 8 to 10 min after infection, respectively. These proteins account for approximately 90% of the coding capacity of the phi29 genome.