VIRION
Enveloped, rod-shaped. The capsid is about 24-38 nm in diameter and 410-1950 nm in length.
GENOME
Linear dsDNA genome of 15.9 to 56 kb. Extremities of the DNA are modified in an unknown manner.
GENE EXPRESSION
The genome is organized in operons.
REPLICATION
CYTOPLASMIC
- Adsorption: the phage attaches to target cell
- Injection: viral DNA is injected in host cell cytoplasm
- Transcription and translation of early genes
- Replication of genomic DNA
- Transcription and translation of late genes
- Genomic DNA is packaged in new virions
- Mature virions are released from the cell