Induction of C(II) and O functions in early defective lambda prophages.

Defective mutations in the x region of the lambda chromosome abolish the expression of both C(II) and O functions. After U.V. irradiation of lysogenic bacteria harboring a N defective prophage, C(II) and O products seem to be accumulated. These results provide further support for the idea that x, y, C(II), and O form an operon that is transcribed from x to O, is directly controlled by the immunity repressor and whose expression is not dependent on that of gene N.