VIRION
Non-enveloped, rod-shaped, rigid, with three tail fibers at either end.
GENOME
Linear dsDNA genome of 32-35 kb. At both ends, there are inverted terminal repeats as well as seven direct repeats. The two strands of the linear genomes are covalently linked.
GENE EXPRESSION
The genome encodes 45 to 54 ORFs.
Enzymes
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 by budding