Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41290383›Full record

ReviewAnnual review of genetics2025

The Biology of Nucleus-Forming Jumbo Phages.

Erica A Birkholz, Emily G Armbruster, Joe Pogliano

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Annual review of genetics, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. The biology of jumbo phages.Nature communications · 2026
    Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Erica A BirkholzDepartment of Molecular Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA; email: jpogliano@ucsd.edu.
Emily G ArmbrusterDepartment of Molecular Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA; email: jpogliano@ucsd.edu.
Joe PoglianoDepartment of Molecular Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA; email: jpogliano@ucsd.edu.

Funding

Molecular and cellular biology of the phage nucleus and spindleR01GM129245 · NIGMS · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · PI POGLIANO, JOSEPH A · 2018 to 2025
$4.2M
NIGMS NIH HHS R01 GM129245
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Nucleus-forming jumbo bacteriophages display a surprisingly intricate replication cycle inside of bacterial host cells, challenging the long-standing paradigm of prokaryotic simplicity. The phage nucleus encloses phage DNA in a protein shell, strictly uncouples transcription from translation, and facilitates selective protein import and messenger RNA (mRNA) export, serving the same major functions as the eukaryotic nucleus. Infection of host cells by these phages begins with the formation of a transcriptionally active membrane-bound early phage infection vesicle, demonstrating that these phages are capable of constructing subcellular compartments composed of lipids and proteins. Here, we review the current body of literature revealing the complexities of nucleus-forming phages and the history of the major discoveries. Studies of these phages are revealing new insights into basic principles of subcellular organization, viral speciation, and intracellular viral competition.

Indexed as

BacteriophagesViral Genome PackagingViral Replicase Complex ProteinsVirologyVirus InternalizationViral Replicase Complex Proteinschimallivirusearly phage infection vesicleEPI vesiclehoming endonucleasemobile genetic elementphage nucleusphage tubulinselfish geneviral competitionviral factoryviral speciation

Identifiers

PMID41290383
PMCPMC12908238

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.