Skunavirus

VIRION

Non-enveloped, head-tail structure. The capsid is icosahedral, about 45 nm in diameter. The non-contractile tail is about 120 nm in length.

GENOME

Linear, dsDNA genome of about 28 kb, containing about 54-59 genes. The genome has cohesive ends (cos sites) .

GENE EXPRESSION

REPLICATION

CYTOPLASMIC

1. Adsorption: The phage attaches to target cell adhesion receptors through its tail fibers.
2. Ejection of the viral DNA into host cell cytoplasm by long flexible tail ejection system.
3. Transcription and translation of early genes.
4. Replication of genomic DNA.
5. Transcription and translation of late genes
6. Assembly of an empty procapsid and packaging of the genome.
7. Viral tail fiber assembly and viral tail assembly.
8. Mature virions are released from the cell by lysis.