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The J gene of bacteriophage phi X174: in vitro analysis of J protein function.

ABSTRACT

The J protein of phi X174 is a small, highly basic protein and is a component of the phage capsid. We have investigated the role of J protein during single-stranded viral DNA synthesis and phage morphogenesis by using an in vitro system composed of purified viral and host components (Aoyama et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 80:4195-4199, 1983). The characterization of the products made in the presence and absence of J protein shows that J protein is not required for viral DNA synthesis, but is required for the packaging of DNA into infectious phage. The ability of J protein to bind to double-stranded DNA as well as single-stranded DNA and other interactions with DNA suggest a model in which J protein binds to double-stranded, replicative form DNA and enters the phage prohead by remaining bound to viral DNA as it is encapsidated.

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• Hafenstein, S., Fane, B. A. (2002). {phi}X174 Genome-Capsid Interactions Influence the Biophysical Properties of the Virion: Evidence for a Scaffolding-Like Function for the Genome during the Final Stages of Morphogenesis. J. Virol. 76: 5350-5356 [Abstract] [Full Text]