Sense and antisense transcription of bacteriophage T4 gene 32. Processing and stability of the mRNAs.

Analysis of bacteriophage T4 gene 32 transcription has revealed a multiplicity of mRNAs. In plasmids, gene 32 is expressed primarily from a strong promoter that is shut off after phage infection. In a wild-type infection, gene 32 is initially transcribed from prereplicative polycistronic and monocistronic promoters; subsequently, a monocistronic late mRNA predominates. This transcript, as well as a post-transcriptionally processed product of the earlier mRNA, can be stable. The eventual degradation of the stable mRNAs is temporally regulated by the phage. Finally, the transcription termination region of gene 32 can function as an antisense promoter both in vitro and in vivo.