Three dimensional structure of the DNA packaging nanomotor of bacterial virus phi29 that contains six RNA molecules. During replication, bacterial virus phi29 uses a nanomotor to package its genomic DNA into a preformed protein shell. The figure shows the three dimensional structure of the DNA packaging motor, with six different colors representing six copies of the RNA molecule. The central channel is the path that DNA follows during replication. Credit: Peixuan Guo, Purdue University
Image 2
Atomic Force Microscope image showing pRNA as single strands folded into "checkmark" shapes (a), sets of two strands that form rod shapes (B), sets of three strands that form triangle shapes (C) and multi-strand arrays forming bundles (D). The figures in the insets help illustrate how the RNA molecules in each shape are bonded to each other. Credit: Peixuan Guo, Purdue University
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