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. 1972 Apr;69(4):907–911. doi: 10.1073/pnas.69.4.907

Infection of Escherichia coli by T2 and T4 Bacteriophages as Seen in the Electron Microscope: T4 Head Morphogenesis*

Lee D Simon 1
PMCID: PMC426592  PMID: 4554535

Abstract

Bacteriophage T4 capsids seem to be assembled on E. coli protoplasmic membranes. This process seems to involve “lumps” of head protein, which convert to τ particles, which in turn give rise to empty heads. The empty heads leave the bacterial membrane and are then filled with DNA in the central region of the cell. T4 gene 16 and 17 products appear to be necessary for head filling.

Keywords: capsids, plasma membrane, tau particles, phage heads, DNA

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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