Localization of membrane protein synthesized after infection with bacteriophage T4.

The synthesis of membrane protein after infection with bacteriophage T4 was examined. Protein constituents of both the cytoplasmic and outer membrane are made during the infective cycle. In addition, newly synthesized membrane protein is found in material which has a buoyant density greater than that of either of the two host membrane fractions. Polyacrylamide gel analyses and solubilization studies using the detergent Sarkosyl indicate that synthesis of most of the membrane proteins made during the first 5 min of infection is directed by bacterial genes. New membrane proteins synthesized at times greater than 6 min after infection appear to be distinct from those of the host, and new proteins of the outer membrane are different from those of the inner. Proteins in the new dense membrane fraction are similar to those of the outer membrane.