Enterobacteria phage T2
 | This articleneeds additional citations forverification.(April 2010) |
| Enterobacteria phage T2 | |
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Virus classification
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| (unranked): | Virus |
| Realm: | Duplodnaviria |
| Kingdom: | Heunggongvirae |
| Phylum: | Uroviricota |
| Class: | Caudoviricetes |
| Family: | Straboviridae |
| Genus: | Tequatrovirus |
| Species: | |
| Strain: | Enterobacteria phage T2
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Enterobacteria phage T2is avirusthat infects and killsE. coli.It is in the genusTequatrovirus,and the familyMyoviridae.Its genome consists of linear double-strandedDNA,with repeats at either end. The phage is covered by a protective protein coat.
The T2 phage can quickly turn anE. colicell into a T2-producing factory that releases phages when the cell ruptures.Experimentsconducted in 1952 byAlfred HersheyandMartha Chasedemonstrated how the DNA of viruses is injected into the bacterial cells, while most of the viral proteins remain outside.[1][2]The injected DNA molecules cause the bacterial cells to produce more viral DNA and proteins. These discoveries supported that DNA, rather than proteins, is the hereditary material.
The first phages that were studied in detail included seven that commonly infectE. coli.They were named Type 1 (T1), Type 2 (T2), etc., for easy reference; however, due to structural similarities between the T2, T4, and T6 bacteriophages, these are now commonly referred to asT-Even phages.
The phage can attach to the surface of a bacterium using the proteins on its 'feet' (tail fibers), and inject its genetic material (either DNA or RNA). This genetic material uses the host cell's ribosomes to replicate, and synthesize proteins for the capsid and tail of the phage. New phages are assembled within the cell until the cellular membranelyses(splits open). The newly made phages are now free to attack more cells. This process is known as theLytic cycle.[3]
References[edit]
- ^Norkin LC (2010).Virology, Molecular Biology and Pathogenesis.Washington: American Society for Microbiology. p. 725.ISBN978-1-55581-453-3.
- ^Prescott LM, Harley JP, Klein DA (2008).Microbiology(seventh ed.). McGraw Hill. p. 427.ISBN978-007-126727-4.
- ^Campbell NA, Jane B. Reece (2003).Biology(7 ed.). Benjamin-Cummings Publishing.ISBN9780582831551.