title: Gene K of bacteriophage phi X 174 codes for a nonessential protein.
abstract: Gene K of phi X 174, which overlaps genes A, B, and C, was found to be nonessential, although possibly beneficial for the growth of the phage. Viable mutants of gene K made less than 4% of the normal amount of K protein as judged by quantitative fluorography of sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels; compared with the wild-type phi X, K mutants had an identical latent period but a two- to threefold reduction in burst size.
mesh_terms: D010584:Bacteriophage phi X 174 / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D005814:Genes, Viral; D009154:Mutation; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D014779:Virus Replication
chemical_list: D014764:Viral Proteins