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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...
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...
Intracellular Movement of Viruses and Bacteria01:10

Intracellular Movement of Viruses and Bacteria

Intracellular bacteria and viruses often comprise a group of highly infectious pathogens that can cause several diseases. Bacterial pathogens include those belonging to the genus Rickettsia responsible for conditions such as rocky mountain spotted fever and the Mediterranean spotted fever; Chlamydia, a genus responsible for a sexually transmitted disease; Coxiella burnetii, an agent responsible for Q fever. Viral pathogens include vaccinia—a poxvirus, and herpes simplex virus—a virus that...
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...
DNA Packaging00:58

DNA Packaging

Overview
DNA Packaging00:58

DNA Packaging

Overview

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Reply to Abedon, S.T. Dual-Receptor Recognition, Lysis Inhibition, Endolysin Release, and Reaction-Diffusion as Alternative Explanations. Comment on "Rojero et al. Bypassing Evolution of Bacterial Resistance to Phages: The Example of Hyper-Aggressive Phage 0524phi7-1. <i>Int. J. Mol. Sci.</i> 2025, <i>26</i>, 2914".

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Updated: May 28, 2026

Production of Dynein and Kinesin Motor Ensembles on DNA Origami Nanostructures for Single Molecule Observation
08:09

Production of Dynein and Kinesin Motor Ensembles on DNA Origami Nanostructures for Single Molecule Observation

Published on: October 15, 2019

A hypothesis for bacteriophage DNA packaging motors.

Philip Serwer1

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas 78229-3900, USA.

Viruses
|October 14, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Bacteriophage DNA packaging motors utilize a novel ATP-dependent protein folding mechanism for DNA translocation. This process involves thermal ratcheting and DNA pushing, ensuring efficient viral genome packaging.

Keywords:
bacteriophage structurebiological energy transductionbiological signal noisecryo-electron microscopysingle-molecule analysis

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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Structural Biology

Background:

  • Bacteriophage DNA packaging is crucial for viral replication.
  • The precise mechanism of DNA translocation by packaging motors remains incompletely understood.
  • Recent single-molecule studies have revealed new insights into motor dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To propose a novel mechanistic model for bacteriophage DNA packaging motors.
  • To elucidate the role of ATP-dependent protein folding in DNA translocation.
  • To explain the observed dwell and burst phases during packaging.

Main Methods:

  • Hypothetical modeling based on crystallographic data.
  • Integration of recent single-molecule experimental findings.
  • Analysis of bacteriophage T3 data to support the proposed model.

Main Results:

  • A cycle of bind/release thermal ratcheting is proposed.
  • ATP-dependent protein folding drives DNA pushing.
  • The model explains the four-mini-burst structure of DNA release.
  • Connector/ATPase symmetry mismatches reduce signaling errors.

Conclusions:

  • The proposed model provides a unified explanation for bacteriophage DNA packaging dynamics.
  • Protein folding within the connector plays a key role in DNA translocation.
  • The mechanism involves sequential cycles and potential superimposed cycles for efficient packaging.