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Function of pili in bacteriophage phi 6 penetration
The Journal of General Virology
|November 1, 1985
Summary
Bacteriophage phi 6 uses specific host pili for infection. These pili, encoded by host genes, are essential for pulling the virus through bacterial defenses to initiate membrane fusion and infection.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Microbiology
- Bacteriophage Research
Background:
- Bacteriophage phi 6 possesses a lipid envelope and a three-segment dsRNA genome.
- Infection begins with attachment to specific host pili, followed by membrane fusion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genetic basis of bacteriophage phi 6 host specificity.
- To elucidate the role of host pili in the infection mechanism of bacteriophage phi 6.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of various bacteriophage phi 6 hosts.
- Isolation and characterization of over 200 bacteriophage phi 6-resistant variants from Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola.
Main Results:
- Phi 6-specific pili are encoded by genes within the host chromosome.
- Pilus-mediated pulling is crucial for transporting the virus through the host's extracellular polysaccharide layer.
Conclusions:
- Host pili are essential for bacteriophage phi 6 to reach the bacterial outer membrane for fusion.
- The interaction between bacteriophage phi 6 and host pili is a critical determinant of infection initiation.