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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...
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...
DNA Packaging00:58

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Lysogenic Cycle of Bacteriophages00:43

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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...

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Isolation and Genome Analysis of Single Virions using 'Single Virus Genomics'
08:31

Isolation and Genome Analysis of Single Virions using 'Single Virus Genomics'

Published on: May 26, 2013

The bacteriophage DNA packaging machine.

Michael Feiss1, Venigalla B Rao

  • 1Department of Microbiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. michael-feiss@uiowa.edu

Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|February 3, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Large DNA viruses and bacteriophages use an ATP-powered motor to package their genomes into capsids. This packaging enzyme (terminase) and portal protein complex translocates DNA, offering insights into molecular machines.

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Area of Science:

  • Molecular biology
  • Structural biology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Large double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) viruses and bacteriophages possess a sophisticated ATP-driven DNA packaging system.
  • This system is crucial for encapsidating the viral genome into pre-formed capsid shells (proheads).
  • Key components include the terminase enzyme (motor) and the portal protein, forming the DNA entry vertex.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the mechanism of ATP-driven DNA translocation by the viral packaging motor.
  • To understand the roles of specific motor components in DNA movement and genome filling.
  • To highlight the phage packaging machine as a model for studying molecular motors.

Main Methods:

  • Molecular genetics
  • Biochemical assays
  • Structural analysis
  • Biophysical techniques
  • Single-molecule approaches

Main Results:

  • The terminase complex, comprising small and large subunits, processes viral genome concatemers.
  • A pentameric motor complex, formed by large terminase subunits, binds to the portal and translocates DNA.
  • ATP hydrolysis drives conformational changes, enabling translocation of approximately 2 base pairs per ATP molecule.
  • Single-molecule studies reveal millisecond-timescale steps in DNA translocation.

Conclusions:

  • The viral packaging motor utilizes ATP hydrolysis for processive DNA translocation, filling the capsid.
  • Specific domains within the large terminase subunit coordinate to power DNA motion.
  • The phage packaging machine serves as a valuable model for understanding fundamental principles of molecular motor function.