Adsorption, capping, and release of a complex bacteriophage by mycoplasma cells.

By electron microscopic studies, the adsorption and release of nonlytic, cytocidal mycoplasma virus MVL3, which infects ACholeplasma laidlawii cells, have been examined. The MVL3 virion has a polyhedral head, collar, short tail, and tail fibers and contains linear double-stranded DNA. Adsorbed MVL3 virus showed a temperature-dependent clustering or capping on the mycoplasma cell membrane. During infection, a number of virus-cell membrane-related structures were observed, suggesting a general model in which MVL3-infected cells release progeny virions in membrane vesicles. These vesicles must then break down to release MVL3 particles.