Inhibition of the Catabolism of Deoxyribonucleosides in Escherichia coli after Infection by T4 Phage

Infection of Escherichia coli B with T4 phages causes an inhibition of the catabolism of exogenously added deoxyribonucleosides. The inhibition depends on the phage multiplicity and is complete at a multiplicity above 5. Phage infection also inhibits transfer of the deoxyribosyl group from a pyrimidine to a purine base. Infection with phase ghosts has similar inhibitory effects as infection with intact phages.