Viral genome packaging (kw:KW-0231)

Large dsDNA bacteriophages, herpesviruses, adenoviruses and microviruses encode a powerful DNA-translocating machinenery that encapsidates a viral genome into a preassembled capsid or procapsid .

The packaging machine is often composed of a portal structure, which provides a gate for DNA entry, and an ATP-driven motor . This motor is composed of the large subunit whose ATPase activity fuels DNA translocation, and most frequently, a small subunit that binds to the viral packaging site. DNA cleavage can be coupled to genome packaging .