Stability of belladonna mottle virus particles: the role of polyamines and calcium

Savithri, Handanahal S and Munshi, Sanjeev K and Suryanarayana, Sankuratri and Divakar, Soundar and Murthy, Mathur RN (1987) Stability of belladonna mottle virus particles: the role of polyamines and calcium. In: Journal of General Virology, 68 (6). pp. 1533-1542.

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Abstract

The stability of belladonna mottle virus (BDMV) has been studied with respect to elevated pH and to freezing and thawing. BDMV, purified by a modified procedure, was stable at alkaline pH, in contradiction to earlier reports. This difference in the stability could be attributed to the presence of 90 to 140 molecules of spermidine, 20 to 50 molecules of putrescine and 500 to 900 calcium ions in each virus particle. The polyamines could be easily exchanged with other cations such as potassium or caesium and this resulted in a loss of particle stability. These cations may therefore play a role in maintaining the integrity of particle structure. The formation of empty protein shells as a result of freezing and thawing BDMV particles parallels earlier observations on turnip yellow mosaic virus particles.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	Journal of General Virology
Publisher:	Society for General Microbiology
Additional Information:	Copyright for this article belongs to the Society for General Microbiology
Keywords:	BDMV;capsid stability;polyamines
Department/Centre:	Division of Biological Sciences > Biochemistry
Date Deposited:	09 May 2008
Last Modified:	19 Sep 2010 04:44
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/13898

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