The spelling of "fd Phage" may seem unusual, but it is actually derived from the its scientific name: F- d' filamentous bacteriophage. The "f" stands for filamentous, while the "d" represents the strain of the phage. When pronounced, "fd" is pronounced as "ef-di" with the IPA phonetic transcription of /ɛf di/. This specific strain of phage plays a significant role in genetic engineering and biotechnology, making it an important term to know in these fields.
The fd phage is a filamentous bacteriophage that specifically infects Escherichia coli bacteria. It belongs to the Inoviridae family and is characterized by its long, thread-like structure. The term "fd" stands for "f-factor defective" as this phage is derived from the f-factor plasmid found in E. coli, but lacks the ability to transfer this plasmid during infection.
The fd phage is approximately 880nm in length and comprises a single-stranded DNA genome enclosed within a protein coat. It initiates infection by attaching itself to specific receptors on the surface of E. coli cells, through interactions between its coat proteins and bacterial outer membrane proteins. Once attached, the phage utilizes its pilus-like structure to enter the host cell, where it proceeds to replicate and produce more phage particles.
One notable feature of the fd phage is its ability to form a stable complex with the F pilus of E. coli, leading to the production of so-called "male" bacteria that possess longer, protruding pili structures compared to normal "female" bacteria. This property has made the fd phage a valuable tool in genetic engineering techniques, such as the construction of recombinant DNA molecules.
In summary, the fd phage is a filamentous bacteriophage that infects E. coli bacteria. Its long, thread-like structure and ability to form stable complexes with bacterial pili make it an important research tool in molecular biology and genetic engineering.
The term "fd phage" has its etymology rooted in the scientific field of molecular biology.
The "phage" part of the term is derived from the Greek word "phagos", meaning "to eat". In biology, a phage is a type of virus that specifically infects and replicates within bacteria, ultimately causing the bacteria to lyse or burst. Phages are often used as tools in research and genetic engineering.
The "fd" component of the term refers to the filamentous nature of the phage. This specific type of phage belongs to the Inoviridae family, and its name is an abbreviation of "Filamentous DNA" phage.
The "fd" phage was first discovered in the bacterium Escherichia coli (E. coli) and was extensively studied as a model virus due to its unique features and ease of manipulation.