VIRION
|
Non-enveloped, head-tail structure. The capsid is 67 nm in diameter, with a T=7 icosahedral symmetry 
. The major capsid protein and the decoration protein each have seven copies or conformers in each asymmetric unit, the decoration protein forming dimers bound to the underlying major capsid protein shell. The short tail is non-contractile, has 6 prominent tail spikes and six long tail fibers, each with a globular distal end. The tail spikes are attached to the capsid shell without direct connections to the central tail hub.
GENOME
Linear, dsDNA genome of about 42 kb encoding for 49 genes.
GENE EXPRESSION
REPLICATION
CYTOPLASMIC
- Adsorption: the phage attaches to the target cell through its tail fibers.
- Ejection of the viral DNA into host cell cytoplasm.
- 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.