What is one consequence of Cro protein synthesis in the lytic state?

The synthesis of Cro protein during the lytic state is significant because Cro plays a pivotal role in the decision-making process of bacteriophage lambda between the lytic and lysogenic cycles. When Cro is synthesized, it binds to specific operators in the lambda genome, which leads to the repression of the lambda repressor (cI protein) synthesis. This repression is key to pushing the phage into the lytic cycle, where the viral DNA is actively transcribed, leading to the production of new virions.

When Cro is present and functional, it leads to an environment where the bacteriophage DNA is indeed transcribed, facilitating the replication and propagation of the lytic infection. This transcription includes the genes required for phage assembly and ultimately results in cell lysis, releasing new phage particles. Thus, the production of Cro protein pushes the bacteriophage away from lysogeny (where the DNA would remain dormant) and ensures that the viral life cycle is progressing towards active infection and replication of the viral genome.