English: Model for Clostridioides phage φCD508 (phiCD508) reduced contraction. Schematic model and description of φCD508 infection, with a gallery of φCD508 bacteriophage bound to S-layer fragments from cryoelectron tomograms. The order of images follows the predicted model of phage infection, building on the known stages of phage contraction for other phages, as well as highlighting novel stages for φCD508 and speculative stages requiring more study.

(A, B, C, D, E) These include well-characterized stages of free extended phage (A), attachment to the S-layer surface (Royer et al, 2023) (B), contraction but no DNA release from the capsid (C), partial emptying of the capsid (D), and empty capsids (E). Stages ii-v show examples where the phage is able to bend once contracted. Scale bar = 100 nm.