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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 7, 2026

T4 Bacteriophage and E. coli Interaction in the Murine Intestine: A Prototypical Model for Studying Host-Bacteriophage Dynamics In Vivo

T4 Bacteriophage and E. coli Interaction in the Murine Intestine: A Prototypical Model for Studying Host-Bacteriophage Dynamics In Vivo

Published on: January 26, 2024

Mobile DNA elements in T4 and related phages.

David R Edgell¹, Ewan A Gibb, Marlene Belfort

¹Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A5C1, Canada. dedgell@uwo.ca

Virology Journal

|October 30, 2010

Summary

Mobile genetic elements like homing endonucleases spread through genomes by creating DNA breaks. Phage T4 research reveals insights into these mobile DNA elements and their mobility mechanisms.

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Area of Science:

Genomics
Molecular Biology
Virology

Background:

Mobile genetic elements significantly impact genome structure and function.
Homing endonucleases are mobile DNA elements that promote their own spread within genomes.
Phage T4 serves as a model system for studying homing endonuclease mobility.

Purpose of the Study:

To summarize current knowledge on T4-encoded homing endonucleases.
To highlight the td/I-TevI model system for understanding endonuclease function.
To discuss recent advances in free-standing endonuclease biology.

Main Methods:

Review of genomic data for T4-like phages.
Analysis of genetic, biochemical, and structural studies of homing endonucleases.
Examination of the td intron and its encoded endonuclease, I-TevI.

Main Results:

Homing endonucleases are widespread in T-even-like phages, with ~11% of the T4 genome encoding them.
Most T4 homing endonuclease genes are located outside self-splicing introns.
The td/I-TevI system provides a foundation for understanding endonuclease regulation and mobility.

Conclusions:

T4-encoded homing endonucleases are crucial mobile genetic elements with diverse genomic locations.
Further research into free-standing endonucleases is needed.
Understanding these elements offers insights into genome evolution and dynamics.