Abstract

This research is directed toward an understanding of biological assembly processes which involve participation of molecules not found in the assembled structure. Bacteriophage lambda head assembly is used as a model for these processes. Aspects of viral assembly being studied include the participation of the host cell in assembly, and protein processing reactions that occur during assembly. In order to understand the assembly processes, the detailed structure of the head will be examined by immunoelectron microscopy, with particular emphasis on the head-tail connector, a substructure of the head that has central roles in most of the processes we are studying. The chemical structures of the products of an unusual protein fusion reaction and a protein cleavage reaction that occur during assembly will be examined. Complexes of proteins that are assembly intermediates will be sought and characterized. The groE protein, a host protein that is required for correct head assembly, will be studied in a variety of ways, including how its synthesis is regulated and how it interacts with phage proteins and other host proteins. The lambda early protein Ea10, which is a ssDNA binding protein, will be investigated in an attempt to learn how it is involved in regulating groE synthesis.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AI012227-11
Application #
3125141
Study Section
Microbial Physiology and Genetics Subcommittee 2 (MBC)
Project Start
1977-12-01
Project End
1985-11-30
Budget Start
1984-12-01
Budget End
1985-11-30
Support Year
11
Fiscal Year
1985
Total Cost
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
University of Pittsburgh
Department
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
053785812
City
Pittsburgh
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
15213

  Publications

Popa, M P; McKelvey, T A; Hempel, J et al. (1991) Bacteriophage HK97 structure: wholesale covalent cross-linking between the major head shell subunits. J Virol 65:3227-37
Hendrix, R W (1988) Tail length determination in double-stranded DNA bacteriophages. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 136:21-9
Murphy, K C; Casey, L; Yannoutsos, N et al. (1987) Localization of a DNA-binding determinant in the bacteriophage P22 Erf protein. J Mol Biol 194:105-17
Chandrasekhar, G N; Tilly, K; Woolford, C et al. (1986) Purification and properties of the groES morphogenetic protein of Escherichia coli. J Biol Chem 261:12414-9
Cowing, D W; Bardwell, J C; Craig, E A et al. (1985) Consensus sequence for Escherichia coli heat shock gene promoters. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 82:2679-83