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T7 phage gene product 2 (Gp2)

Usage and Biology

The T7 phage is a bacteriophage that infects Escherichia coli and leads to cell lysis of the host. It is known in synthetic biology as the source of the T7 promoter, which allows for tight control of gene expression in the presence of T7 RNA polymerase. The T7 phage infection mechanism is facilitated by a number of viral genes encoded in the 40kb T7 phage genome, including gene product 2.

Gene product 2 (gp2) is a small 7 kDA protein that plays a key role in the late stages of T7 phage infection. It binds to the β’ subunit of RNA polymerase (RNAP) in the E. coli host, which inhibits host transcription by preventing formation of the active RNAP holoenzyme. This allows the phage-encoded RNAP to transcribe the phage proteins required for successful infection without interference from the host transcriptional machinery. One effect of inhibited host transcription is a decrease in the growth rate of the host.

we have characterised the activity of Gp2 by putting it under control of a pBAD promter, and you can see our experience here.

Sequence and Features