Lysis of T4 phage by the specific lipocarbohydrate of phase II Shigella sonnei.

When the specific lipocarbohydrate of Phase II Sh. sonnei and T(4) phage react in vitro, the virus is rapidly inactivated and the content of the viral membrane is released into the surrounding medium. The reaction between phage and lipocarbohydrate proceeds only in the presence of a lipide constituent which can be extracted from the polysaccharide, rendering the latter inactive, and which can be replaced by certain fatty acids. It has been suggested that the lipocarbohydrate is the receptor substance of the Phase II bacillus which specifically combines with and brings about disintegration of the virus when the latter infects the host cell.