Bacteriophage tail components. I. Pteroyl polyglutamates in T-even bacteriophages

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Molecular Biology
• Virology

Background:

• Pteroylpolyglutamates are essential cofactors in various metabolic pathways.
• The presence and role of pteroylpolyglutamates in bacteriophages have not been extensively studied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the pteroylpolyglutamate found in Escherichia coli T-even bacteriophages.
• To determine the origin, synthesis, and location of this phage-associated compound.

Main Methods:

• Chemical and physical property analysis of the phage compound.
• Analysis of E. coli extracts from infected and uninfected cells.
• Investigation of synthesis sensitivity to chloramphenicol.
• Examination of isolated phage particles, including ghost and tail substructures.

Main Results:

• A dihydropteroyl penta- or hexaglutamate was identified as a constituent of all T-even bacteriophages.
• The phage-specific pteroylpolyglutamate was detected only in infected E. coli cells and its synthesis was induced by phage infection.
• Each phage particle contains 2-6 pteroyl derivatives, primarily bound at the tail plate-tail tube junction.

Conclusions:

• Escherichia coli T-even bacteriophages encode or induce the synthesis of a specific dihydropteroyl polyglutamate.
• This compound is an integral part of the phage particle, likely playing a role in infection, and is localized to the tail structure.