The effect of genome length on ejection forces in bacteriophage lambda

Details The effect of genome length on ejection forces in bacteriophage lambda The effect of genome length on ejection forces in bacteriophage lambda

2005-05-21

arxiv.org/abs/q-bio/0505042v1

Biology

Quantitative Biology

Biomolecules

Scientific paper

A variety of viruses tightly pack their genetic material into protein capsids that are barely large enough to enclose the genome. In particular, in bacteriophages, forces as high as 60 pN are encountered during packaging and ejection, produced by DNA bending elasticity and self-interactions. The high forces are believed to be important for the ejection process, though the extent of their involvement is not yet clear. As a result, there is a need for quantitative models and experiments that reveal the nature of the forces relevant to DNA ejection. Here we report measurements of the ejection forces for two different mutants of bacteriophage lambda, lambda b221cI26 and lambda cI60, which differ in genome length by ~30%. As expected for a force-driven ejection mechanism, the osmotic pressure at which DNA release is completely inhibited varies with the genome length: we find inhibition pressures of 15 atm and 25 atm, respectively, values that are in agreement with our theoretical calculations.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The effect of genome length on ejection forces in bacteriophage lambda does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with The effect of genome length on ejection forces in bacteriophage lambda, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The effect of genome length on ejection forces in bacteriophage lambda will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-91080