Flagellar determinants of bacterial sensitivity to chi-phage.

Samuel, A D; Pitta, T P; Ryu, W S; Danese, P N; Leung, E C; Berg, H C · Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A · 1999

basic_science · Level V

Where this comes from

Abstract

Bacteriophage chi is known to infect motile strains of enteric bacteria by adsorbing randomly along the length of a flagellar filament and then injecting its DNA into the bacterial cell at the filament base. Here, we provide evidence for a "nut and bolt" model for translocation of phage along the filament: the tail fiber of chi fits the grooves formed by helical rows of flagellin monomers, and active flagellar rotation forces the phage to follow the grooves as a nut follows the threads of a bolt.

Medical subject headings