The Role of the Host Membrane in the Morphogenesis of the Head of Coliphage T4
Head morphogenesis in T4 represents an ideal system for studying the interaction of proteins with nucleic acid since many of the relevant components can be dissected genetically. T4 head morphogenesis has been studied by electron microscopic examination of cells infected with conditional lethal mutants under non-permissive conditions. However, the structures accumulated often are not normal intermediates. In vitro complementation (the formation of a head from its pieces) has not been achieved for T4. In fact, it has been carried out with good efficiency only with Tobacco Mosaic Virus. Here we describe a new approach for the examination of the early events of T4 head morphogenesis which conceivable could be used to study other viruses.
IMPACT STATEMENT ::: This article describes a method for engrafting epithelial progenitor cells to a revascularized scaffold in a protective and supportive collagen-rich environment. This method has the potential to overcome two key limitations of existing grafting techniques as epithelial cells are protected from mechanical shear and the relatively hypoxic phase that occurs while grafts revascularize, offering the opportunity to provide epithelial cells to decellularized allografts at the point of implantation. Advances in this area will improve the safety and efficacy of bioengineered organ transplantation.