Interplay between the mechanics of bacteriophage fibers and the strength of virus-host links.
Phys Rev E Stat Nonlin Soft Matter Phys
; 89(5): 052710, 2014 May.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-25353832
ABSTRACT
Viral fibers play a central role in many virus infection mechanisms since they recognize the corresponding host and establish a mechanical link to its surface. Specifically, bacteriophages have to anchor to bacteria through the fibers surrounding the tail before starting the viral DNA translocation into the host. The protein gene product (gp) 37 from bacteriophage T4 long tail fibers forms a fibrous parallel homotrimer located at the distal end of the long tail fibers. Biochemical data indicate that, at least, three of these fibers are required for initial host cell interaction but do not reveal why three and no other numbers are required. By using atomic force microscopy, we obtained high-resolution images of gp37 fibers adsorbed on a mica substrate in buffer conditions and probed their local mechanical properties. Our experiments of radial indentation at the nanometer scale provided a radial stiffness of â¼ 0.08 N/m and a breaking force of â¼ 120 pN. In addition, we performed finite element analysis and determined a Young's modulus of â¼ 20 MPa. From these mechanical parameters, we hypothesize that three viral fibers provide enough mechanical strength to prevent a T4 virus from being detached from the bacteria by the viral particle Brownian motion, delivering a biophysical justification for the previous biochemical data.
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Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Proteínas Virais
/
Interações Hospedeiro-Patógeno
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2014
Tipo de documento:
Article