Purification and Characterization of Coliphage MS2 Hapten Conjugates

Abstract

Conjugation of the RNA coliphage MS2 to either dinitrophenol (DNP) or picolinimidate (P), and separation from the reaction mixture on Sephadex G-25 results in the generation of at least two phage populations with differing sedimentation rates. These populations also can be separated on the basis of density. One phage population contains intact, infectious phage particles and conjugated hapten. The data presented shows that neither the density nor sedimentation rate change as a result of conjugation, nor is there any detectable alteration in the purified, conjugated particle that makes it any more sensitive to altered physical and chemical conditions. However, distinct differences between conjugated and unconjugated phage can be seen when they are neutralized with anti-MS2 sera.