Phage formation in Staphylococcus muscae cultures. VII. Partial purification of the protein factor necessary for virus synthesis.

1. A substance is present in autolyzed pepsin solutions which stimulates the release of phage by some strains of S. muscae when added to Fildes' synthetic medium. 2. The substance is assayed by determining the quantity necessary to increase the phage yield to one-half the maximum value, using the one-step growth curve technique. 3. The substance has been concentrated and partially purified (500-fold) by heavy metal precipitation, butyl alcohol extraction, and absorption on norit. 4. No known amino acid or accessory growth substance tested could replace this substance.