Chuni Proteins

Flashcards covering key vocabulary terms and concepts related to structural proteins and enzymes in viral biology.

Portal Protein

Acts as a DNA sensor and a gatekeeper at a single vertex of the capsid, allowing DNA to be packaged and ejected.

Major Capsid Hexamer/Pentamer Proteins

Primary building blocks of the viral head (capsid), protecting the viral genome.

Capsid Maturation Protease

An enzyme that destroys the internal core of the prohead during assembly to make space for the viral genome.

Major/Minor Tail Proteins

Proteins forming the tail structure, with major proteins making up the main tube and minor proteins aiding in host recognition.

Tail Fiber Protein

Mediates the initial binding of the phage to specific receptors on the bacterial host surface.

Tape Measure Protein

A long protein that determines the exact length of the phage tail.

Head-to-Tail Adaptor

Connects the finished, DNA-filled head to the tail structure.

Tail Assembly Chaperone

Assists in the correct folding and assembly of tail proteins.

DNA Helicase

Unwinds double-stranded DNA during replication for copying.

DNA Polymerase 1

Synthesizes new DNA strands by adding nucleotides to a growing chain.

HNH Endonuclease

Cleaves DNA at specific sites, often for packaging or homing mechanisms.

Terminase

A molecular motor that packages the viral genome into the preformed capsid.

Exonuclease

Removes nucleotides from the ends of DNA strands for repair or processing.

Holliday Junction Resolvase

Enzyme that breaks and rejoins DNA strands to resolve cross structures formed during recombination.

Helix-Turn-Helix DNA Binding Protein

A common protein motif that regulates gene expression by binding to specific DNA sequences.

dpdA-like tRNA-guanine transglycosylase

Involved in DNA modifications that help the phage evade bacterial defenses.

Lysin A & B

Enzymes that break down the host bacterial cell wall to release new phage particles.