Probing phage PRD1-specific proteins with monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies.

Four new specificity class MAbs against PRD1 proteins (P6, P7/14, P11, P18) and polyclonal antiserum against the minor capsid protein P5 were produced. The antibodies were used to analyze the phage protein distribution inside the host cell during infection as well as in the virion. The minor component of the capsid, P5, was shown to be located on the surface of the virion. The proteins responsible for particle infectivity were localized to the membrane fraction of the host cells. In addition, by detection with MAbs, genes encoding proteins P14 and P18 were positively localized on the PRD1 genome.