Multi-subunit ring-ATPases carry out a myriad of biological functions, including genome packaging in viruses. Though the basic structures and functions of these motors have been well-established, the mechanisms of ATPase firing and motor coordination are poorly understood. Here, by direct counting using single-molecule fluorescence, we have determined that the active bacteriophage T4 DNA packaging motor consists of five subunits of gp17. By systematically doping motors with an ATPase-defective subunit and selecting single motors containing a precise count of active/inactive subunit(s), we found, unexpectedly, that the packaging motor can tolerate an inactive sub-unit. However, motors containing an inactive subunit(s) exhibit fewer DNA engagements, a higher failure rate in encapsidation, reduced packaging velocity, and increased pausing. These findings suggest a new packaging model in which the motor, by re-adjusting its grip on DNA, can skip an inactive subunit and resume DNA translocation, contrary to the prevailing notion of strict coordination amongst motor subunits of other packaging motors.
Altering the speed of a DNA packaging motor from bacteriophage T4
