Figure 1.

Location of gpF 101 and 102 on the capsid surface. The mature phage capsid is an icosahedron of 12 pentameric capsomeres. Each capsomere contains 5 units of major capsid gpF (426 aa each) and 5 units of spike gpG (138 aa each). GpF comprises most of the outer surface of the virion while each pentamer of gpG forms a large spike that protrudes. An isolated pentamer of gpG (orange) and gpF (blue) is shown from the side. Wild-type gpF 101/102 amino acids (G/Y in black/red) are indicated on each of the 5 gpF subunits. Note that functional groups protrude outward. Structure was modified from McKenna et al. (1994) by G. Daughdrill, using Insight II software from Accelerys (Cambridge, MA).