Bacteriophage tail components. 3. Use of synthetic pteroyl hexaglutamate for T4D tail plate assembly

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Biochemistry
• Microbiology

Background:

• Bacteriophage T4D tail plate assembly is a complex process.
• Folate derivatives are known to play roles in various cellular processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of pteroyl polyglutamates in T4D tail plate assembly.
• To determine the specific requirements for T4D tail plate formation in vitro.

Main Methods:

• In vitro complementation reactions using bacterial extracts.
• Treatment of extracts with activated charcoal.
• Addition of chemically synthesized pteroyl polyglutamates.

Main Results:

• Pteroyl hexaglutamate significantly stimulated T4D tail plate assembly.
• Pteroyl pentaglutamate and heptaglutamate did not substitute for hexaglutamate.
• Charcoal treatment inhibited assembly unless pteroyl hexaglutamate was added.

Conclusions:

• Pteroyl hexaglutamate is essential for efficient T4D tail plate assembly.
• The observed stimulation is due to a specific requirement for pteroyl hexaglutamate.
• Folate metabolism is critical for bacteriophage assembly.