Attachment protein G3P from filamentous phages plays essential roles both in the penetration of the viral genome into the bacterial host via pilus retraction and in the extrusion process. In the initial stages of infection, G3P mediates adsorption of ...
Attachment protein G3P from filamentous phages plays essential roles both in the penetration of the viral genome into the bacterial host via pilus retraction and in the extrusion process. In the initial stages of infection, G3P mediates adsorption of the phage to its primary receptor, the tip of host F-pilus. Subsequent interaction with the host entry receptor tolA induces penetration of the viral DNA into the host cytoplasm [1]. This entry represents the N-terminal (N1) pilus-binding domain from Salmonella phage IKe and Enterobacteria phage I2-2 GP3. It clamps together with the adjacent N2 domain (referred to as TolA binding domain in [1]) by the hinge region to form a bilobal, horseshoe-like structure.
