Interaction between the gene 5 protein, gene 5 protein/single stranded fd DNA complex and gene 8 protein of the filamentous phage fd

An affinity column consisting of gene 8 protein, the major coat protein of fd phage, bound to Sepharose was prepared. Isolated gene 5 protein/single stranded fd DNA complex was found to bind to this column and was eluted with fd phage single stranded fd DNA. pH changes, and 1 M CaCl2 were not effective in eluting the protein from the affinity column. Gene 5 protein/single stranded fd DNA complex from the crude extracts of fd-infected E. coli also bound to the column, as did isolated gene 5 protein; whereas fd single stranded DNA alone did not. These results may be relevant for the illucidation of the molecular events occurring in the early stages of fd phage assembly.