Biologists learn structure of enzyme needed to power 'molecular motor'

This image depicts the structure of the T4 virus, called a bacteriophage because it infects bacteria. Researchers at Purdue and The Catholic University of America have discovered the structure of an enzyme called an ATPase, which is essential for the operation of "molecular motors" that package DNA into the head segment of the T4 virus. The same kind of motor, however, is also likely present in other viruses, including the human herpes virus. Credit: Frederick A. Eiserling/UCLA and Petr Leiman/Purdue Department of Biological Sciences