Phospholipid metabolism in T4 bacteriophage infected Escherichia coli K-12 (lambda).

Infection of Escherichia coli K-12 (lambda) by bacteriophage results in an altered labeling pattern of phospholipids in the host cell. Although the overall incorporation of (32)P(i) into phospholipids is decreased by infection, the relative amounts of phosphatidylglycerol and cardiolipin are increased. Phospholipid changes occurring at later stages in the lytic cycle of infected bacteria are more prominent than those at earlier time intervals. The uptake of (32)P(i) into phospholipids of cells infected with T4Bs and endolysin-negative mutants was similar to that observed with the wild-type phage, suggesting that the development of resistance to lysis from without and the repair of mucopeptides are not responsible for the phospholipid changes. The metabolism of phospholipids in uninfected cells treated with cyanide was similar to that of infected cells, indicating that part of the phage-induced alterations may be a consequence of impaired respiration.