An additional function for bacteriophage lambda rex: the rexB product prevents degradation of the lambda O protein.
The rex operon of bacteriophage lambda excludes the development of several unrelated bacteriophages. Here we present an additional lambda rexB function: it prevents degradation of the short-lived protein lambda O known to be involved in lambda DNA replication. We have shown that it is the product of rexB that is responsible for the stabilization of lambda O: when a nonsense mutation is present in rexB, lambda O protein is labile; suppression of the mutation by the corresponding nonsense suppressor causes partial restabilization of lambda O. lambda rexB also stabilizes lambda O in trans. We discuss our results in relation to the function of rexB in lambda DNA replication and its role in the protein degradation pathways of bacteriophage lambda.
Schoulaker-Schwarz
R
R
Department of Molecular Biology, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel.
Dekel-Gorodetsky
L
L
Engelberg-Kulka
H
H
D010582:Bacteriophage lambda / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D007700:Kinetics; D009876:Operon; D010957:Plasmids; D015183:Restriction Mapping; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*
C027812:O protein, Bacteriophage lambda; D014764:Viral Proteins; C069331:rexB protein, Bacteriophage lambda