# VIRUS CHROMOSOME STRUCTURE:  ROLE IN DEVELOPMENT

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF IOWA · 1988 · $144,085

## Abstract

Experiments are proposed to ask questions about how virus chromosomes are
selected and packaged during assembly.  The system used is bacteriophage
lambda, for which powerful genetic and biochemical methods of analysis are
available.  One aspect of chromosome recognition that is poorly understood
is the basis for the recognition of the cohesive end site (cos) of the DNA
by terminase which generates the cos-terminase complex called complex I.
The proposed experiments will define the terminase domain involved in
cleavage of the cutting site, cosN.  cosN point mutations will give
detailed information about the role of specific cosN base pairs in
recognition by terminase.  The initial interaction of terminase with the
binding site, cosB, will be studied and the role of the host factor
elucidated.  There is a segment of DNA between cosN and cosB that is of
unknown significance.  Experiments will test whether this segment is
involved in specific interactions with packaging proteins or whether it is
simply a spacer.  The protein(s) involved in interaction with the segment
will be identified.

The role of the host factor IHF in 21 terminase action will be examined.
IHF-dependent mutants (her) of 21 will be examined for host factor
requirements.  Mutants defective in the Lambda host factor (HF) will be
sought and studied.

Interactions involved in the binding of the prohead by complex II will also
be examined.  One important goal is to identify the prohead protein that
binds to terminase during complex II formation.

The role of the accessory protein gpFI will be studied to understand how it
alters the intracellular environment so that packaging can occur.  The
interaction of gpFI with the phage-coded ben endonuclease, and with host
factor(s) will be studied.

The proposed work will be of general significance for virus biology,
including pathogenic viruses.  Fundamental information on DNA-protein
interactions, assembly mechanisms and virus-host interactions will result.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3125318
- **Project number:** 5R01AI012851-13
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
- **SAM.gov UEI:** Z1H9VJS8NG16
- **Principal Investigator:** MICHAEL FEISS
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1988
- **Award amount:** $144,085
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1976-06-30 → 1989-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3125318

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3125318, VIRUS CHROMOSOME STRUCTURE:  ROLE IN DEVELOPMENT (5R01AI012851-13). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3125318. Licensed CC0.

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