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

1 Department of Biochemistry and 2 Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560 012, India 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...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of general virology 1987-06, Vol.68 (6), p.1533-1542
Main Authors: Savithri, H.S, Munshi, S.K, Suryanarayana, S, Divakar, S, Murthy, M.R.N
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Belladonna mottle virus
Biological and medical sciences
calcium
freeze-thaw cycles
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Microbiology
Morphology, structure, chemical composition, physicochemical properties
Nicotiana
Nicotiana glutinosa
particle size
Phytopathology. Animal pests. Plant and forest protection
plant viruses
Plant viruses and viroids
polyamines
Systematics. Structure, properties and multiplication. Genetics
Virology
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Summary:1 Department of Biochemistry and 2 Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560 012, India 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. Keywords: BDMV, capsid stability, polyamines Received 24 November 1986; accepted 11 March 1987.
ISSN:0022-1317
1465-2099
DOI:10.1099/0022-1317-68-6-1533