Viral connectors for DNA encapsulation

► Connector proteins are key structures of bacteriophages capsids. ► Connectors play essential roles in DNA packaging and release, procapsid assembly and tail machinery attachment. ► Atomic structure of three different connector proteins showed that they present a common central core. ► The central core is composed by 24 α-helices that form an electronegative channel. ► Similar structural arrangement has been also described for other DNA channels like sliding clamps, involved in DNA replication.