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DNA packaging and cutting by phage terminases: control in phage T4 by a synaptic mechanism. 1995

L W Black
Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Maryland Medical School, Baltimore 21201, USA.

Phage DNA packaging occurs by DNA translocation into a prohead. Terminases are enzymes which initiate DNA packaging by cutting the DNA concatemer, and they are closely fitted structurally to the portal vertex of the prohead to form a 'packasome'. Analysis among a number of phages supports an active role of the terminases in coupling ATP hydrolysis to DNA translocation through the portal. In phage T4 the small terminase subunit promotes a sequence-specific terminase gene amplification within the chromosome. This link between recombination and packaging suggests a DNA synapsis mechanism by the terminase to control packaging initiation, formally homologous to eukaryotic chromosome segregation.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D004279 DNA, Viral Deoxyribonucleic acid that makes up the genetic material of viruses. Viral DNA
D004706 Endodeoxyribonucleases A group of enzymes catalyzing the endonucleolytic cleavage of DNA. They include members of EC 3.1.21.-, EC 3.1.22.-, EC 3.1.23.- (DNA RESTRICTION ENZYMES), EC 3.1.24.- (DNA RESTRICTION ENZYMES), and EC 3.1.25.-.
D017122 Bacteriophage T4 Virulent bacteriophage and type species of the genus T4-like phages, in the family MYOVIRIDAE. It infects E. coli and is the best known of the T-even phages. Its virion contains linear double-stranded DNA, terminally redundant and circularly permuted. Bacteriophage T2,Coliphage T2,Coliphage T4,Enterobacteria phage T2,Enterobacteria phage T4,Phage T2,Phage T4,T2 Phage,T4 Phage,Phage, T2,Phage, T4,Phages, T2,Phages, T4,T2 Phages,T2, Enterobacteria phage,T4 Phages
D019065 Virus Assembly The assembly of VIRAL STRUCTURAL PROTEINS and nucleic acid (VIRAL DNA or VIRAL RNA) to form a VIRUS PARTICLE. Viral Assembly,Assembly, Viral,Assembly, Virus

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