Electron microscopy of the morphogenesis of Bacillus subtilis bacteriophage SP3

Abstract

The capsid of Bacillus subtilis bacteriophage SP3 is assembled via a prohead intermediate which subsequently encapsulates DNA and attaches a tail. The prohead contains a ring-like core structure. The spokes which extend from the core to the inner prohead surface are thought to form a scaffold for the polymerization of the prohead. Ninety percent of the proheads are assembled prior to the onset of DNA encapsulation. The first mature phage particles are observed at 45 min after infection; titres of intracellular phage demonstrate their infectivity. The core is visible in phage ghosts.