Single particle cryo-electron microscopy reconstructions of marine podovirus particles, together with cryo-electron tomography studies during the host infection process, have revealed structural features that suggest a mechanism whereby, upon binding to the Prochlorococcus host cell, the tail fibers induce a cascade of structural alterations of the portal vertex complex that triggers release of its genome.
- Xiangan Liu
- Qinfen Zhang
- Wah Chiu
