Experimental test of connector rotation during DNA packaging into bacteriophage phi29 capsids.
The bacteriophage phi29 generates large forces to compact its double-stranded DNA genome into a protein capsid by means of a portal motor complex. Several mechanical models for the generation of these high forces by the motor complex predict coupling of DNA translocation to rotation of the head-tail connector dodecamer. Putative connector rotation is investigated here by combining the methods of single-molecule force spectroscopy with polarization-sensitive single-molecule fluorescence. In our experiment, we observe motor function in several packaging complexes in parallel using video microscopy of bead position in a magnetic trap. At the same time, we follow the orientation of single fluorophores attached to the portal motor connector. From our data, we can exclude connector rotation with greater than 99% probability and therefore answer a long-standing mechanistic question.
Hugel
Thorsten
T
Department of Physics, Technical University, Munich, Germany.
Michaelis
Jens
J
Hetherington
Craig L
CL
Jardine
Paul J
PJ
Grimes
Shelley
S
Walter
Jessica M
JM
Falk
Wayne
W
Anderson
Dwight L
DL
Bustamante
Carlos
C
D017103:Bacillus Phages / Q000235:genetics*; D002213:Capsid / Q000737:chemistry*; D042003:DNA Packaging; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D005453:Fluorescence; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation
D004279:DNA, Viral