Common ancestry of herpesviruses and tailed DNA bacteriophages

Baker, M.L., Jiang, W., Rixon, F.J. and Chiu, W. (2005) Common ancestry of herpesviruses and tailed DNA bacteriophages. Journal of Virology, 79(23), pp. 14967-14970. (doi: 10.1128/jvi.79.23.14967-14970.2005)

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Abstract

Comparative analysis of capsid protein structures in the eukaryote-infecting herpesviruses (Herpesviridae) and the prokaryote-infecting tailed DNA bacteriophages (Caudovirales) revealed a characteristic fold that is restricted to these two virus lineages and is indicative of common ancestry. This fold not only serves as a major architectural element in capsid stability but also enables the conformational flexibility observed during viral assembly and maturation. On the basis of this and other emerging relationships, it seems increasingly likely that the very diverse collection of extant viruses may have arisen from a relatively small number of primordial progenitors.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Rixon, Dr Frazer
Authors: Baker, M.L., Jiang, W., Rixon, F.J., and Chiu, W.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
Journal Name:Journal of Virology
Journal Abbr.:J. Virol.
ISSN:0022-538X
ISSN (Online):1098-5514

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