Organization of Gene Function in Bacillus subtilis Bacteriophage SP82G

A generalized assessment of the functions of 26 genes of SP82G, a bacteriophage of Bacillus subtilis, has been made. The production of phage-specific deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), DNA-filled phage heads, completed phage particles, phage-specific antigen, and developmental aberrations has been examined in lysates of temperature-sensitive mutants grown under selective conditions. The genes show a tendency to occur on the genome in three groups of related function: genes involved with DNA synthesis, with tail synthesis, and with head synthesis.