Macromolecular assembly: chainmail stabilization of a viral capsid

Curr Biol. 1998 Dec;8(25):R914-7. doi: 10.1016/s0960-9822(98)00008-6.

Abstract

The subunits that make up the capsid of a double-stranded DNA phage have been found to be arranged as covalently bonded, interlinked pentamer and hexamer rings. This remarkable 'chainmail' arrangement raises interesting new questions about macromolecular assembly.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacteriophages / physiology
  • Capsid / biosynthesis*
  • Capsid / chemistry
  • DNA Viruses / physiology
  • Humans
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Protein Binding / physiology
  • RNA Viruses / physiology
  • Virus Assembly / physiology*

Substances

  • Macromolecular Substances