The location of the inhibitory action of KCN and several polyamines on bacteriophage replication

Streptomycin, spermine, and arginine inhibit the replication of T1, T3, T7, and PLT22 bacteriophages. Spermine and arginine inhibit adsorption as well as penetration, whereas streptomycin allows adsorption but blocks the initiation of phage penetration. The majority of bacteria infected in the presence of streptomycin survive as viable cells. A technique based on the sensitivity of adsorbed T3 phage to antiserum has been used to define the site of action of these polyamines. This technique also showed that KCN inhibited T3 phage late in the penetration process.