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Bacteriophage P2 and P4 morphogenesis: structure and function of the connector
S Rishovd1, A Holzenburg, B V Johansen
1Institute of Biology, University of Oslo, Norway.
Virology
|June 6, 1998
Summary
The bacteriophage P2/P4 connector
Area of Science:
- Structural biology
- Virology
- Molecular biology
Background:
- The bacteriophage connector links the capsid and tail, mediating symmetry mismatch and DNA transport.
- Its structure is crucial for understanding capsid assembly and viral DNA packaging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the structure of the bacteriophage P2/P4 connector.
- To investigate the role of connector protein processing in DNA packaging.
Main Methods:
- Image reconstruction of 2D crystalline layers of purified connector protein.
- Analysis of late gene mutants to study protein processing during DNA packaging.
Main Results:
- Reconstructed connector shows a toroidal structure with a central channel and 12-fold symmetry.
- The sample contained both 12- and 13-meric forms of the connector.
- Connector protein processing (cleavage of N-terminal amino acids) occurs during DNA packaging, dependent on gene P (terminase subunit).
Conclusions:
- The bacteriophage P2/P4 connector structure is similar to other phage connectors.
- Connector protein processing is linked to DNA packaging, with the cleaved fragment potentially involved in DNA binding.