Metal-ion discrimination by phage T7.
The discovery of new metal-selective complexing agents may be facilitated by applying an in vitro selection strategy. Such a strategy was recently devised to identify and enrich populations of bacteriophage that rely on Mg(II)-, Zn(II)-, or Au(III)-selective stabilization for survival in the presence of denaturing urea. The potential for extension of the strategy to other metal ions is investigated here. The kinetics of phage inactivation in 5 M urea was measured for a spectrum of metals. At a concentration of 1 mM, Mg(II), Ca(II), Co(II), and Ni(II) were found to be the most stabilizing, followed by Cd(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II), respectively. K(I) had virtually no effect. In contrast, Al(III) and Au(III) significantly destabilized the phage, even at concentrations of 0.25 mM.
Whang
T
T
Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755-8000, USA.
Daly
B
B
Yin
J
J
D000535:Aluminum / Q000494:pharmacology; D017123:Bacteriophage T7 / Q000187:drug effects*; D002412:Cations / Q000494:pharmacology; D006046:Gold / Q000494:pharmacology; D007700:Kinetics; D008670:Metals / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014508:Urea / Q000494:pharmacology
D002412:Cations; D008670:Metals; D006046:Gold; D014508:Urea; D000535:Aluminum