DrCatalase
We are looking at two EA4 phages that have what is called by others as a MuF-like minor capsid protein, minor capsid protein, capsid maturation protease, or a hypothetical protein. We are looking for some guidance, but right now, I am leaning toward hypothetical protein.

debbie
Hi! there is some confusing that can be easily remedied.
Syntenically, this gene is positioned to be the capsid maturation protease (CMP).

"The herpesviruses and many phages utilize a maturation protease that acts in this transition from prohead to head, and the main function of the capsid protease is to degrade the parts of the prohead that are required for prohead assembly, but must be removed to complete maturation."
So if we can find it, we want this gene's protein to have some protease function.

The HHPred results hit minor head protein of SPP1, putative capsid assembly protein (likely another way of saying CMP), Phage Mu protein F like - which as per our approved function list is not anything we will call), and gp15 of D29 - which is D29's capsid maturation protease.

Note that all of these are based on inferred calls. I am going to agree with the work of Hatfull and Hendrix, that they were satisfied to call this gene of D29 and L5 a capsid maturation protease some 30 years ago.

I would assign this gene protein the function - capsid maturation protease.

Best,
debbie