Viral Characterization by Direct Analysis of Capsid Proteins

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry has enabled viral coat proteins to be characterized directly from the virus. This analysis, demonstrated here with tobacco mosaic virus U2, a bacteriophage MS2, and equine encephalitis TRD, is achieved with a combination of organic acid,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Analytical chemistry (Washington) 1998-09, Vol.70 (18), p.3863-3867
Main Authors: Thomas, John J, Falk, Brandon, Fenselau, Catherine, Jackman, Joany, Ezzell, John
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analytical chemistry
Analytical, structural and metabolic biochemistry
Biological and medical sciences
Capsid - analysis
Capsid Proteins
Chemistry
Encephalitis Virus, Venezuelan Equine - chemistry
Exact sciences and technology
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
General aspects, investigation methods
General, instrumentation
Microbiology
Morphology, structure, chemical composition, physicochemical properties
Proteins
Species Specificity
Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization
Tobacco Mosaic Virus - chemistry
Viral Proteins - analysis
Virology
Viruses
Viruses - chemistry
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Summary:Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry has enabled viral coat proteins to be characterized directly from the virus. This analysis, demonstrated here with tobacco mosaic virus U2, a bacteriophage MS2, and equine encephalitis TRD, is achieved with a combination of organic acid, UV-absorbing matrix, and high-energy desorption with a nitrogen laser. The molecular weights of these proteins are determined with sufficient accuracy to allow differentiation among viral species and strains. The abundant hydrophobic MS2 coat protein was analyzed in aliquots of culture medium and of the tobacco mosaic virus coat protein in infected leaves. This method provides rapid detection of coat protein in the low-femtomole range, as estimated by titering plaque-forming units of MS2.
ISSN:0003-2700
1520-6882
DOI:10.1021/ac9802372