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Structural transitions during maturation of bacteriophage lambda capsids

T Dokland¹, H Murialdo

¹European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Biological Structures and Biocomputing Programme, Heidelberg, Germany.

Journal of Molecular Biology

|October 20, 1993

Summary

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Researchers determined the 3D structures of bacteriophage lambda

Area of Science:

Structural biology
Virology
Biophysics

Background:

Bacteriophage lambda is a virus that infects bacteria.
Understanding viral capsid structure is crucial for virology and drug development.

Purpose of the Study:

To determine the three-dimensional structures of the bacteriophage lambda procapsid and mature capsid.
To elucidate the protein interactions within the lambda capsid.

Main Methods:

Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and image processing were used.
High-resolution (3.4 nm) reconstructions of the procapsid and mature capsid were generated.
A reconstruction of a lambda D- mutant capsid was also performed.

Main Results:

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The mature lambda capsid comprises gpE (hexamers and pentamers) and gpD (trimers) proteins on a T=7 lattice.

gpE subunits form a cartwheel-like structure with radiating arms.

gpD trimers interact with the arms of the gpE structure.

The procapsid features elongated, irregularly shaped hexamers with gpE subunits perpendicular to the surface.

Conclusions:

The study reveals the detailed architecture of the bacteriophage lambda capsid and procapsid.
The findings provide insights into the assembly and structural organization of viral capsids.
The role of gpD trimers in stabilizing the mature capsid structure is highlighted.