Abstract Three temperate coliphages were examined for their ability to direct the synthesis of a new deoxyribonuclease and a new DNA polymerase concomitant with phage development. No new nuclease or polymerase activity was detected in extracts of Escherichia coli C600 infected with the noninducible phages 186 and 299. The defective phage carried by E. coli 15 also failed to produce detectable amounts of new nuclease or polymerase activity after induction by thymine starvation.

Three temperate coliphages failed to direct the synthesis of a new lambda type deoxyribonuclease or DNA polymerase, suggesting their inability to induce new enzymes in Escherichia coli.

The failure of three temperature coliphages to direct the synthesis of a new lambda type deoxyribonuclease.

Key Takeaway: Three temperate coliphages failed to direct the synthesis of a new lambda type deoxyribonuclease or DNA polymerase, suggesting their inability to induce new enzymes in Escherichia coli.