VIRION
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Non-enveloped, head-tail structure. The capsid is about 108 nm in diameter and has a T=16 symmetry 
. The tails is contractile, about 140 nm in length, with brushy tail fibers.
GENOME
Linear, dsDNA genome of about 145 kb, encoding for approximately 200 proteins.
GENE EXPRESSION
Genes are transcribed by operons.
ENZYMES
- DNA-directed DNA polymerase family A palm
- Cysteine protease (Peptidase C51)
- Ribonucleoside reductase
REPLICATION
CYTOPLASMIC
- Adsorption: the phage attaches to the target cell through its tail fibers.
- Ejection of the viral DNA into host cell cytoplasm by contraction of the tail sheath.
- Transcription and translation of early genes.
- Replication of genomic DNA. Transcription and translation of late genes.
- Assembly of an empty procapsid and packaging of the genome.
- Viral tail fibers assembly and viral tail assembly.
- Mature virions are released from the cell by lysis.