We recently showed that, as part of the DNA packaging process for bacteriophage P22, the dodecameric procapsid portal changes conformation to a mature virion state.  We report that preformed dodecameric rings of P22 portal protein, as opposed to portal monomers, incorporate into nascent procapsids, with preference for the procapsid portal conformation.  Finally, a novel role for P22 scaffolding protein in triggering portal ring formation from portal monomers is elucidated and validated by incorporating de novo assembled portal rings into procapsids.
P22
We recently showed that, as part of the DNA packaging process for bacteriophage P22, the dodecameric procapsid portal changes conformation to a mature virion state.  We report that preformed dodecameric rings of P22 portal protein, as opposed to portal monomers, incorporate into nascent procapsids, with preference for the procapsid portal conformation.  Finally, a novel role for P22 scaffolding protein in triggering portal ring formation from portal monomers is elucidated and validated by incorporating de novo assembled portal rings into procapsids.
P22
We recently showed that, as part of the DNA packaging process for bacteriophage P22, the dodecameric procapsid portal changes conformation to a mature virion state.  We report that preformed dodecameric rings of P22 portal protein, as opposed to portal monomers, incorporate into nascent procapsids, with preference for the procapsid portal conformation.  Finally, a novel role for P22 scaffolding protein in triggering portal ring formation from portal monomers is elucidated and validated by incorporating de novo assembled portal rings into procapsids.
P22