In this article we will discuss about the structure of phage M13. M13 (or f1) phage is a filamentous phage that shows entirely alpha-helical in structure so that the molecule forms a short rod. The helical capsid is simplest measuring about 900 nm long and 9 nm in diameter. M13 is encapsulated in about 2700 copies of the major coat [...]
In this article we will discuss about the structure of bacteriophage. Bacteriophage ØX174 belongs to the genus Micro virus of the family Microviridae from the Group II (ssDNA Viruses). The bacteriophage ØX174 was discovered by R.L. Sinsheimer at California Institute of Technology. It is one of the ssDNA phages of E.coli which has been most extensively studied. The phage particles [...]
In this article we will discuss about the replication of ssDNA phage. I. Adsorption: The cell wall surface of E.coli contains specific receptor sites. For example, the receptor site of ØX114 present on outer membrane of cell wall of Salmonella typhimurium is a lipopolysaccharide. The phage gets adsorbed on bacterial cell surface through any one of 12 icosahedral vertices. The [...]