Ultrastructural analysis of bacteriophage Φ29 during infection of Bacillus subtilis.

ABSTRACT: Recent advances in cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) have allowed direct visualization of the initial interactions between bacteriophages and their hosts. Previous studies focused on phage infection in Gram-negative bacteria but it is of particular interest how phages penetrate the thick, highly cross-linked Gram-positive cell wall. Here we detail structural intermediates of phage Φ29 during infection of Bacillus subtilis. Use of a minicell-producing strain facilitated in situ tomographic reconstructions of infecting phage particles. Φ29 initially contacts the cell wall at an angle through a subset of the twelve appendages, which are attached to the collar at the head proximal portion of the tail knob. The appendages are flexible and switch between extended and downward conformations duri

SUBMITTER: Farley MM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5272854 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature