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Related Concept Videos

DNA Bacteriophages01:26

DNA Bacteriophages

Bacteriophages, or phages, are viruses that specifically infect bacteria, utilizing their genetic material to hijack host cellular machinery for replication. DNA bacteriophages employ single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) or double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) genomes. These phages exhibit diverse replication strategies and host interactions, influencing their ecological roles and applications in biotechnology and medicine.ssDNA BacteriophagesssDNA phages, with their small genomes, utilize unique strategies to...
Plasmids01:28

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Plasmids are extrachromosomal DNA molecules found in bacteria, archaea, and some eukaryotic microbes like yeast. These small, circular DNA structures typically contain fewer than 30 genes, although some may exist linearly. Plasmids vary in their number within a cell, known as copy number. Single-copy plasmids are present in one copy per cell and multi-copy plasmids are present in multiple copies, reaching over 100 copies per cell.Plasmids usually replicate independently of the chromosomal DNA...
Viral Replication: Lysogenic Cycle01:16

Viral Replication: Lysogenic Cycle

The lysogenic cycle is a crucial viral replication strategy that allows bacteriophages to persist within host cells without immediately destroying them. This process is primarily observed in temperate phages, such as bacteriophage lambda (λ), which infects Escherichia coli. The cycle allows the viral genome to persist across bacterial generations while keeping host cells viable.Integration of the Viral GenomeUpon infection, bacteriophage lambda attaches to the bacterial surface and injects its...
Viral Replication: Lytic Cycle01:20

Viral Replication: Lytic Cycle

Bacteriophages, or phages, are viruses that specifically infect bacteria. Among them, T-even bacteriophages, such as T4, exhibit a well-characterized lytic replication cycle in Escherichia coli (E. coli). This process ensures the rapid proliferation of the virus while ultimately leading to the destruction of the bacterial host.Attachment and DNA InjectionThe infection process begins with the recognition and binding of the T4 phage to the E. coli cell surface. Tail fibers of the phage...
Lysogenic Cycle of Bacteriophages00:43

Lysogenic Cycle of Bacteriophages

In contrast to the lytic cycle, phages infecting bacteria via the lysogenic cycle do not immediately kill their host cell. Instead, they combine their genome with the host genome, allowing the bacteria to replicate the phage DNA along with the bacterial genome. The incorporated copy of the phage genome is called the prophage. Some prophages can re-activate and enter the lytic cycle. This often occurs in response to a perturbation, such as DNA damage, but can also transpire in the absence of...
Lytic Cycle of Bacteriophages01:30

Lytic Cycle of Bacteriophages

Bacteriophages, also known as phages, are specialized viruses that infect bacteria. A key characteristic of phages is their distinctive “head-tail” morphology. A phage begins the infection process (i.e., lytic cycle) by attaching to the outside of a bacterial cell. Attachment is accomplished via proteins in the phage tail that bind to specific receptor proteins on the outer surface of the bacterium. The tail injects the phage’s DNA genome into the bacterial cytoplasm. In the lytic replication...

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Following Cell-fate in E. coli After Infection by Phage Lambda
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Published on: October 14, 2011

N15: the linear phage-plasmid.

Nikolai V Ravin1

  • 1Centre "Bioengineering", Russian Academy of Sciences, Prosp. 60-let Oktiabria, bld. 7-1, Moscow 117312, Russia. nravin@biengi.ac.ru

Plasmid
|December 28, 2010
PubMed
Summary

The unusual phage N15 forms a linear plasmid prophage, not integrating into the host chromosome. Its unique protelomerase enzyme and dispersed centromeres ensure stable inheritance of this linear plasmid DNA.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Temperate phages typically integrate into the host chromosome as prophages.
  • Phage N15 is an exception, maintaining its prophage as a linear plasmid with unique telomeres.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the unique mechanisms of prophage maintenance and replication in phage N15.
  • To investigate the role of protelomerase and centromeric regions in linear plasmid stability.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of phage N15 genome structure and replication.
  • Identification and characterization of key enzymes and DNA regions involved in prophage maintenance.
  • Comparative genomics of related phages.

Main Results:

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  • Phage N15 prophage exists as a linear plasmid with covalently closed ends, forming hairpin telomeres via protelomerase.
  • Replication initiates internally, leading to duplicated telomeres resolved by protelomerase.
  • Stable inheritance is mediated by a partitioning operon with dispersed centromeric repeats, distinct from F factor's sop operon.
  • Centromeres are located in replication and lysogeny control regions, regulating these processes through partition protein binding.

Conclusions:

  • Phage N15 utilizes a novel linear plasmid strategy for lysogeny, distinct from chromosomal integration.
  • The protelomerase and dispersed centromere system are crucial for the stable maintenance of this linear plasmid prophage.
  • Related phages share similar genetic elements, suggesting a common evolutionary origin for this linear plasmid lifestyle.