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. 1981 Oct;148(1):294–300. doi: 10.1128/jb.148.1.294-300.1981

Genetic transformation in Staphylococcus aureus: demonstration of a competence-conferring factor of bacteriophage origin in bacteriophage 80 alpha lysates.

N E Thompson, P A Pattee
PMCID: PMC216192  PMID: 6457025

Abstract

A virion component that is responsible for conferring competence to Staphylococcus aureus was demonstrated in lysates of bacteriophage 80 alpha, a serological group B phage. Isolated particles of 80 alpha could not be shown to confer significant levels of competence. The phage component had a density of about 1.3 g/cm3, was inactivated by pronase, and was inhibited by antiserum prepared against isolated infectious particles of a serological group B phage. Centrifugation through a Ficoll gradient resulted in separation of competence-conferring activity and plaque-forming units. It is concluded that this proteinaceous subvirion component constitutes a bona fide competence factor of bacteriophage origin.

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Selected References

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