Process of infection with bacteriophage φX174: XX. Attachment of the Parental DNA of Bacteriophage φX174 to a Fast-sedimenting Cell Component

The parental viral DNA of bacteriophage φX174 is found attached to a cellular structural component in gently lysed φX-am3-infected host cells. The attached RF DNA replicates semiconservatively, releasing the replication product into the cytoplasm of the cell, Cytoplasmic RF DNA does not replicate semiconservatively. The attached viral DNA can be removed from the cellular component by detergents, high pH or pronase digestion. Part of the attached φX DNA is RFII; the cytoplasmic RF (in chloramphenicol-treated cells) is exclusively RFI. The nature of the cellular component is unknown