Molecular architecture of bacteriophage T4

Biochemistry (Mosc). 2004 Nov;69(11):1190-202. doi: 10.1007/s10541-005-0064-9.

Abstract

In studying bacteriophage T4--one of the basic models of molecular biology for several decades--there has come a Renaissance, and this virus is now actively used as object of structural biology. The structures of six proteins of the phage particle have recently been determined at atomic resolution by X-ray crystallography. Three-dimensional reconstruction of the infection device--one of the most complex multiprotein components--has been developed on the basis of cryo-electron microscopy images. The further study of bacteriophage T4 structure will allow a better understanding of the regulation of protein folding, assembly of biological structures, and also mechanisms of functioning of the complex biological molecular machines.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacteriophage T4 / chemistry*
  • Bacteriophage T4 / physiology
  • Bacteriophage T4 / ultrastructure
  • Protein Conformation
  • Viral Proteins / chemistry
  • Viral Proteins / physiology
  • Virus Assembly

Substances

  • Viral Proteins
  • fibritin protein, Enterobacteria phage T4