Simultaneous monitoring of T5 DNA release and phage induced pore formation through the lipid membrane.

<p>A\ Simultaneous recording of electrophysiological activity of the phage induced pore and fluorescence image of released DNA. Three phases are visible. Left (t < 12.5 s): the DNA has not been released. Middle (12.5 s < t < 16 s): fluorescence increase period i.e. DNA release step. Right (t > 16 s): fluorescence plateau reached, the DNA has been completely released. Top: mean of Yo-Pro I fluorescence images obtained for the three periods. Unstained phages were used. Hence Yo-Pro I stains only the DNA released from phages, and not the intracapsid DNA. Bottom: the amount of fluorescence increase is quantified and shown over time (blue curve). Simultaneous current measurement is shown in red (black: mean current). Two current steps flank the beginning and the end of the fluorescence increase period. Applied voltage = -20 mV. Scale bar: 10 μm. B\ Suggested sequence of events leading to phage DNA ejection. See discussion for details.