Microbiology Procedure
  Home  Link to us  Resources  Site map  Search  Language

Index >> Bacteriophages - Part One >> DNA Glucosyltransferases

DNA Glucosyltransferases


DNA Glucosyltransferases
- The T-even phage DNA is unique in that it contains glucosylated HMC residues. Newly formed phage DNA is rapidly glucosylated by phage enzymes.

In T4, the sugar is transferred through uridine diphosphoglucose (UDPG) to the hydroxymethyl group of an HMC residue in newly synthesized DNA. 70% of the glucosyl residues are attached in α-linkage and 30% in linkage.


Glucosylation protects HMC containing DNA from the action of host restriction enzymes in bacteria lacking UDPG, the DNA of the viral progeny remains unglucosylated.

It has also been Suggested that the recognition signals for the initiation of transcription lie in the DNA base sequence containing β-glucosylated HMC.

Home | Site map | Submit Article | Resources | Search