Low-molecular-weight T4 phage-specific RNA

1. 1. A low-molecular-weight, radioactive RNA fraction was detected in Escherichia coli grown on radioactive orthophosphate following infection with T4 phage. 2. 2. The base composition of the [³²P]RNA did not correspond to E. coli transfer RNA or ribosomal RNA. 3. 3. The radioactive RNA hybridized with T4 phage DNA but did not hybridize with E. coli DNA. 4. 4. Quantitative hybridization studies suggest that the low-molecular-weight RNA is not a random degradation product of T4 phage messenger RNA. 5. 5. The possible origin of this phage-specific RNA is discussed.