Minor protein content of the gene V protein/phage single-stranded DNA complex of the filamentous bacteriophage f1

Abstract

The gene V protein/phage single-stranded (SS) DNA complex is an intermediate in the assembly of the filamentous bacteriophage f1. The minor protein content of this complex isolated from wild-type and amber mutant phage-infected Escherichia coli bacteria has been analyzed. Other than the gene V protein, none of the proteins found in purified samples of the complex correspond to any known phage gene products. In particular, the minor coat proteins found in the mature phage particle do not appear to be components of the cytoplasmic gene V protein/f1 SS DNA complex. However, approximately 1–3 molecules of E. coli single-stranded DNA binding protein (SSB) copurify with the complex and may be stably associated with this structure in vivo.