Dissociation of polyoma virus by the chelation of calcium ions found associated with purified virions
Year: 1977
Type: article
Abstract: Analysis of polyoma virions by X-ray fluorometry demonstrated that calcium (Ca2+) was associated with the purified virion. Treatment of purified virions with ethyleneglycol-bis-N,N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA), which chelates Ca2+, and the reducing agent dithiothreitol caused the virions to dissociate. Electron microscopy revealed that the virions were dissociated to the capsomere level. Incubation of polyoma virions with 150 mM NaCl, 10 mM EGTA, and 3 mM dithiothreitol was optimum for the dissociation reaction. The pH for the dissociation reaction ranged from 7.5 to 10.5. Cesium chloride density gradient centrifugation indicated that both EGTA and dithiothreitol were necessary for dissociation to occur; neither reagent alone dissociated the virus. The major protein product of the dissociated viral particles sedimented at 12S. Relationships between these experiments and the alkaline carbonate-bicarbonate dissociation of polyoma are discussed.
Source: Journal of Virology
Authors: J N Brady, V D Winston, R A Consigli
Language: English
Subfield: Oncology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W1565408377