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Related Experiment Videos

Polymorphism of bacteriophage T7

I S Gabashvili1, S A Khan, S J Hayes

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78284-7760, USA.

Journal of Molecular Biology
|November 14, 1997
PubMed
Summary

Bacteriophage T7 capsids exist in two states, influenced by growth conditions and protein composition. Particle charge density determines state, affecting host cell adsorption and potentially viral infection strategies.

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Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Structural Biology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Viral protein shell structure is typically genome-determined.
  • Bacteriophage T7 (T7) is a model virus for studying capsid structure and assembly.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the existence and characteristics of different mature T7 capsid states.
  • To determine factors influencing the population of these T7 capsid states.
  • To explore the functional implications of T7 capsid states in viral infection.

Main Methods:

  • Non-denaturing agarose gel electrophoresis of bacteriophage T7.
  • Analysis of viral growth conditions and protein composition (p10A and p10B).
  • Measurement of electrical surface charge density (delta) and particle radius.

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  • Assessment of T7 particle adsorption to host cells at varying pH.

    • Main Results:

    • Mature T7 capsids exhibit two distinct electrophoretic states, differing in electrical surface charge density (delta).
    • Growth conditions and the ratio of major (p10A) to minor (p10B) capsid proteins influence the population of these states.
    • State 1 particles (higher magnitude delta) show reduced adsorption to host cells compared to State 2.
    • pH changes can induce state transitions in T7 particles.

    Conclusions:

    • Bacteriophage T7 capsid structure is not solely determined by the genome, exhibiting plasticity in mature particles.
    • The two observed capsid states are linked to charge density and influenced by growth environment and protein variants.
    • The differential adsorption of T7 capsid states suggests an adaptive mechanism to regulate infection based on growth favorability.