Structure and morphogenesis of bacteriophage T4

Bacteriophage T4 is one of the most complex viruses. More than 40 different proteins form the mature virion, which consists of a protein shell encapsidating a 172-kbp double-stranded genomic DNA, a 'tail,' and fibers, attached to the distal end of the tail. The fibers and the tail carry th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS 2003-11, Vol.60 (11), p.2356-2370
Main Authors: Leiman, P G, Kanamaru, S, Mesyanzhinov, V V, Arisaka, F, Rossmann, M G
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Amino Acid Sequence
Bacteria
Bacteriology
Bacteriophage T4 - growth & development
Bacteriophage T4 - pathogenicity
Bacteriophage T4 - ultrastructure
Deoxyribonucleic acid
DNA
DNA Packaging
DNA, Viral - physiology
Fibers
Herpes viruses
Molecular Sequence Data
Morphogenesis
Protein Structure, Secondary
Review
Viral Tail Proteins - chemistry
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Summary:Bacteriophage T4 is one of the most complex viruses. More than 40 different proteins form the mature virion, which consists of a protein shell encapsidating a 172-kbp double-stranded genomic DNA, a 'tail,' and fibers, attached to the distal end of the tail. The fibers and the tail carry the host cell recognition sensors and are required for attachment of the phage to the cell surface. The tail also serves as a channel for delivery of the phage DNA from the head into the host cell cytoplasm. The tail is attached to the unique 'portal' vertex of the head through which the phage DNA is packaged during head assembly. Similar to other phages, and also herpes viruses, the unique vertex is occupied by a dodecameric portal protein, which is involved in DNA packaging.
ISSN:1420-682X
1420-9071
DOI:10.1007/s00018-003-3072-1