Bacillus virus phi29 2026-10-24
A double-stranded DNA bacteriophage of Bacillus subtilis, widely discussed as a model of active genome packaging. A portal-associated molecular motor uses ATP hydrolysis to oppose the physical costs of dense DNA confinement.[ref]
Experimental Test of Connector Rotation during DNA Packaging into Bacteriophage phi29 Capsids by Thorsten Hugel and others. Introduction identifies the host and the packaging motor
The named bacteriophage, Bacillus virus phi29, infects Bacillus subtilis; the paper's identification of Escherichia coli as its host is incorrect. This correction does not alter the idealized geometry or numerical inputs used below.[ref]