Prophage

Prophage as phage DNA is referred to, which were incorporated into the genome of bacteria.

Tempe pension phage build a time into the bacterial genome. Here they then remain silent is, that is, the phage genes are not read. Divides the bacterium, the phage genes are simply duplicated. The phage is thus with increased. The phage genes but can also be activated again, so that the phage is active again increased.

Prophage can also be indirectly giving rise to various human diseases. Thus, for example, Streptococcus pyogenes ( scarlet ), Clostridium botulinum ( botulism ) and Vibrio cholerae ( cholera ) only pathogenic ( = harmful, disease -causing) if they carry a specific prophage in itself, encoding the respective toxin.

Analogous to the prophage there is also a provirus.

• Genetics
• Virology