El bacteriòfag lambda, un model de decisió genètica

Authors

  • Maite Muniesa

Abstract

The bacteriophage lambda. The bacteriophage lambda (phage λ) is a virus that infects the intestinal bacteria Escherichia coli. Phage λ has been historically used as a model microorganism on the study of virus multiplication, and moreover for the genetic regulation of its multiplicative cycles. Phage λ has two different multiplicative pathways, called lytic and lysogenic cycles, and can choose among both cycles by a complex system of genetic regulation. If the lytic cycle is selected, λ multiplies within the bacteria generating new phages. The new phages release outside the bacteria by lysis, which causes the death of the cell. If the lysogenic cycle is selected, the phage DNA is integrated within the bacterial DNA and remains in a latent state (prophage) as a part of the bacterial genome. This cycle does not kill the bacterial cell, that can continue its replication together with the replication of the phage DNA. This allows the bacterium to express its own genes and those of the phage. Lysogeny can remain stable or revert towards the lytic cycle, if there are certain environmental factors that affect viability of the bacteria. Phage λ has also been applied as a tool for diverse molecular biology applications. Among others, the production of recombinant DNA, using the abilities of their enzymes to integrate DNA fragments within the bacterial genome.

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Published

2012-01-17