Prophage

[1] Integration of prophages into the bacterial host is the characteristic step of the lysogenic cycle of temperate phages.

This mechanism eventually will lead to the release of the virus as the host cell splits open and the viral DNA is able to spread.

Prophage reactivation in the case of phage λ appears to be an accurate recombinational repair process that is mediated by the recA+ and red+ gene products.

[citation needed] Lysis of host cells during prophage induction can cause the collapse of a microbial population.

Induction of prophages allows hosts to compete in the microbial ecology by infecting and lysing susceptible bacteria.

[10] Phages also enable the host to pick up and integrate antibiotic resistance genes from nearby cells.

[12] Additionally, phage-mediated recombination mechanisms may remodel the host chromosome and provide new ways for cells to regulate metabolism and gene expression, such as those involved in sporulation and competence.

[14] With data from more nonpathogenic bacteria, researchers will be able to gather evidence as to whether or not prophages contribute to the survival value of the host.