Icosahedral dsDNA Bacterial Viruses with an Internal Membrane

2008

The icosahedral double-stranded DNA bacteriophages containing an internal membrane belong to two families, the Tectiviridae and the Corticoviridae. Members of the Tectiviridae have a linear dsDNA genome (e.g., PRD1) and those of the Corticoviridae have a circular genome (the only example being PM2). The DNA is covered by a membrane which is in turn covered by a protein capsid. The infection cycle begins when spikes on the capsid recognize the host cell receptor and the virus starts the delivery of the genome into the cell cytoplasm. The replication of the virus genome occurs in the cytoplasm. The members of the Tectiviridae may be virulent or temperate; PM2 is virulent. Virulent bacteriopha…