Deletions induced by heat treatment of E. coli K12 lysogenic for lambda prophages.

We have investigated the production of prophage deletions in heat-induced lambda lysogens of E. coli K12. Our results are indicative of a direct action of the heat-induced prophage in producing deletions. The temperature of 40 degrees used for the experiments may be critical to prove this effect. The phage function involved in deletion formation is not known.