A novel in vitro DNA packaging system demonstrating a direct role for the bacteriophage lambda FI gene product.
A new in vitro bacteriophage lambda DNA packaging system is described in which all the proteins necessary for head morphogenesis are supplied by extracts of plasmid-transformed cells. This assay is used to demonstrate that the lambda FI gene product (gpFI) is necessary for maximal packaging efficiency when proheads and terminase are present in limiting amounts. A 100- to 200-fold decrease in packaging is seen when gpFI is omitted. gpFI is shown to act at and/or after the stage in packaging where proheads bind to the DNA:terminase complex.
D010582:Bacteriophage lambda / Q000235:genetics*; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000378:metabolism; D004706:Endodeoxyribonucleases / Q000502:physiology; D005814:Genes, Viral; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007700:Kinetics; D009024:Morphogenesis; D010957:Plasmids; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D014779:Virus Replication
D004279:DNA, Viral; D014764:Viral Proteins; D004706:Endodeoxyribonucleases; C030894:terminase