Structure and function of bacteriophage T4 - PMC - 0 views
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The 194 MDa mature head encapsidates 172 kbp dsDNA, representing 102% of the unique genome [24,25]. The head is first assembled as an empty capsid that is subsequently packaged with DNA by an ATP-dependent packaging machine. This machine binds to the same special pentameric vertex that is later occupied by the phage tail. The head is prolate, meaning that it has two icosahedral ends and a cylindrical mid-section.
