Escherichia virus HK97

A bacteriophage that infects Escherichia coli''

Overview

Electron micrograph of Escherichia virus HK97

Escherichia virus HK97 is a bacteriophage that infects the bacterium Escherichia coli. It is a member of the Caudovirales order and belongs to the Siphoviridae family. This virus is notable for its well-studied capsid structure and assembly process, which has provided significant insights into viral morphogenesis.

Structure

The HK97 bacteriophage has a non-enveloped icosahedral capsid with a long, flexible tail. The capsid is composed of 72 capsomers arranged in a T=7 lattice. The capsid proteins undergo a series of conformational changes during maturation, which are critical for the stability and infectivity of the virus.

Genome

The genome of Escherichia virus HK97 is a double-stranded DNA molecule, approximately 39 kilobases in length. It encodes for several structural proteins, enzymes, and regulatory proteins necessary for the infection and replication cycle within the host cell.

Life Cycle

HK97 capsid structure

The life cycle of HK97 begins with the attachment of the phage to the lipopolysaccharide receptors on the surface of E. coli. Following attachment, the phage injects its DNA into the host cell. The viral DNA then hijacks the host's cellular machinery to replicate and produce new phage particles. The assembly of new virions involves the formation of a prohead, which matures into the final capsid structure through a series of proteolytic cleavages and conformational changes.

Significance

Escherichia virus HK97 is a model organism for studying viral assembly and maturation. The detailed understanding of its capsid structure has implications for virology, molecular biology, and the development of nanotechnology applications. The HK97 capsid is often used as a paradigm for understanding the assembly of other complex macromolecular structures.

Related pages

• Bacteriophage
• Escherichia coli
• Viral replication
• Capsid