Tail fiber

Definition

Tail fibers are protein structures that extend from the baseplate of a bacteriophage and play a crucial role in recognizing and binding to specific receptors on the surface of bacterial cells. They are essential for the initial stages of viral infection.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Tail fibers determine the host range of a bacteriophage by binding to specific receptors on bacterial cells.
2. They undergo conformational changes upon binding, facilitating attachment and subsequent insertion of viral DNA into the host.
3. Mutations in tail fiber genes can alter the specificity and efficiency of phage attachment.
4. Phages like T4 have complex tail fibers composed of multiple protein subunits.
5. Tail fibers can be used in phage therapy to target antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Review Questions

• What role do tail fibers play in bacteriophage infection?
• How do mutations in tail fiber genes affect a bacteriophage's ability to infect its host?
• Why are tail fibers considered important for phage therapy?

Related terms

Bacteriophage:

A type of virus that infects bacteria.

Baseplate: The structure at the end of a bacteriophage's tail where tail fibers attach.

Viral Receptor: Specific molecules on the surface of a host cell that viruses bind to initiate infection.