9LD7

The capsid of mature phage N4

Summary for 9LD7

• Entry DOI: 10.2210/pdb9ld7/pdb
• EMDB information: 63001
• Descriptor: Major capsid protein, 32 kDa protein (2 entities in total)
• Functional Keywords: complex, virus
• Biological source: Enterobacteria phage N4 (Bacteriophage N4); More
• Total number of polymer chains: 12
• Total formula weight: 484291.04

Authors

Liu, H.,Chen, W. (deposition date: 2025-01-05, release date: 2025-04-16, Last modification date: 2025-10-29)

Primary citation

Zheng, J.,Pang, H.,Xiao, H.,Zhou, J.,Liu, Z.,Chen, W.,Liu, H.
Asymmetric structure of podophage N4 from the Schitoviridae family reveals a type of tube-sheath short-tail architecture.
Structure, 33:1250-1262.e2, 2025

PubMed Abstract: The tails of the majority of reported podophages are typically composed of an adaptor, a nozzle, and a needle, and flanked by six or twelve fibers. However, the Schitoviridae family, as represented by podophage N4, exhibits a different tail architecture that remains poorly understood. In this study, we employed cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM) to determine the atomic structures of mature and empty podophage N4 particles. The N4 tail, which is connected to the head by a portal and flanked by 12 fibers, comprises an adaptor, a 12-fold extended tail tube encircled by a 6-fold tail sheath, and a plug. The extended tail sheath is composed of two proteins, gp65 and gp64. Furthermore, we identified two distinct tail conformations in the mature podophage N4. Our structures provide insights into the mechanisms of ejection and early transcription of podophage N4, as well as for N4-like phages and CrAssphages.

PubMed: 40318628
DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2025.04.008

Experimental method

ELECTRON MICROSCOPY (3.4 Å)