Double-stranded DNA organization in bacteriophage heads: an alternative toroid-based model.

TitleDouble-stranded DNA organization in bacteriophage heads: an alternative toroid-based model.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1995
AuthorsHud, NV
JournalBiophys J
Volume69
Issue4
Pagination1355-62
Date Published1995 Oct
ISSN0006-3495
KeywordsBacteriophages, Capsid, DNA, Viral, Genome, Viral, Models, Structural, Nucleic Acid Conformation, Spectrum Analysis, Raman, X-Ray Diffraction
Abstract

Studies of the organization of double-stranded DNA within bacteriophage heads during the past four decades have produced a wealth of data. However, despite the presentation of numerous models, the true organization of DNA within phage heads remains unresolved. The observations of toroidal DNA structures in electron micrographs of phage lysates have long been cited as support for the organization of DNA in a spool-like fashion. This particular model, like all other models, has not been found to be consistent will all available data. Recently we proposed that DNA within toroidal condensates produced in vitro is organized in a manner significantly different from that suggested by the spool model. This new toroid model has allowed the development of an alternative model for DNA organization within bacteriophage heads that is consistent with a wide range of biophysical data. Here we propose that bacteriophage DNA is packaged in a toroid that is folded into a highly compact structure.

DOI10.1016/S0006-3495(95)80002-0
Alternate JournalBiophys. J.
PubMed ID8534805
PubMed Central IDPMC1236365