Structure and function of the small terminase component of the DNA packaging machine in T4-like bacteriophages.

ABSTRACT: Tailed DNA bacteriophages assemble empty procapsids that are subsequently filled with the viral genome by means of a DNA packaging machine situated at a special fivefold vertex. The packaging machine consists of a "small terminase" and a "large terminase" component. One of the functions of the small terminase is to initiate packaging of the viral genome, whereas the large terminase is responsible for the ATP-powered translocation of DNA. The small terminase subunit has three domains, an N-terminal DNA-binding domain, a central oligomerization domain, and a C-terminal domain for interacting with the large terminase. Here we report structures of the central domain in two different oligomerization states for a small terminase from the T4 family of phages. In addition, we report biochemical st

SUBMITTER: Sun S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3271864 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature