Magic-angle spinning nmr of bacteriophage viruses

Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria. In their simplest form they are highly symmetric biomolecular assemblies that consist of an inner genomic core wrapped by a protein coat. More complex bacteriophages have capsid shells that include several proteins, some have short or long protein tails, as well as additional fibrous tail tube protein (TTP) attachments. Magic-angle spinning (MAS) solid-state NMR provides an opportunity to study these high-molecular-weight (tens of megadaltons) phage systems in great detail. This article focuses on several filamentous and icosahedral phages of various complexities, showing the hierarchy of information available by NMR – protein and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) chemical shifts; secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures; hydration; protein–DNA interactions; and capsid dynamics.