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Viral Genome Delivery Across Bacterial Cell Surfaces
Stephano M Iglesias1, Fenglin Li1, Federica Briani2
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Annual Review of Microbiology
|July 10, 2024
Summary
Bacteriophages deliver their DNA into bacteria, a process crucial for genetics and phage therapy. This review examines viral genome delivery mechanisms, aiding the fight against antibiotic resistance.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Virology
Background:
- The Hershey-Chase experiment in 1952 established DNA as the genetic material using bacteriophage T2.
- Advances in cryo-electron microscopy have significantly improved understanding of bacteriophage structure.
- Phage genome delivery into prokaryotes remains poorly understood due to the process's transient and complex nature.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current literature on viral genome delivery across bacterial cell surfaces.
- To categorize icosahedral bacterial viruses based on their tail apparatus.
- To analyze the building blocks and mechanisms involved in phage genome ejection.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of viral genome delivery mechanisms.
- Classification of bacteriophages into three groups based on tail apparatus.
- Critical analysis of proposed genome ejection pathways.
Main Results:
- Identification of key building blocks involved in phage genome delivery.
- Evaluation of various proposed mechanisms for genome ejection into bacteria.
- Categorization of viruses aids in understanding delivery strategies.
Conclusions:
- Understanding phage genome delivery is vital for advancing phage therapy.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the complex mechanisms of viral DNA injection.
- This review provides a framework for studying phage-bacterial interactions in the context of antibiotic resistance.
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