title: Symmetry mismatch and DNA packaging in large bacteriophages.
abstract: A model is presented for the mechanism of packaging double-stranded DNA into phage heads. The model is based on, and rationalizes, the mismatch in symmetry between the heads and tails of large bacteriophages. DNA movement is postulated to be mediated by a rotating protein structure at the tail-proximal vertex of the head.
mesh_terms: D001435:Bacteriophages / Q000235:genetics* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004279:DNA, Viral; D008954:Models, Biological; D009024:Morphogenesis; D014764:Viral Proteins
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D014764:Viral Proteins