Abstract
Summary
Phage infection of staphylococcal cells results in the formation and release of a lytic enzyme which causes the lysis of killed cells, and in conjunction with virus material, lyses living cells. This enzyme appears to be closely related to the autolytic system of uninfected cells, but is different in its pH optimum and activity for M. lysodeikticus. It increases during the latent period of phage infection, and we suggest it functions in the ultimate lysis and release of virus from the host cell.
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