The structure of nucleoprotein cores released from adenovirions

Michael E. Vayda, Alan E. Rogers, S. J. Flint

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

77 Scopus citations

Abstract

The morphology, protein composition and DNA organization of nucleoprotein core complexes isolated from type 5 adenovirions have been examined by electron microscopy and biochemical techniques. The morphology of such core structures is in some ways strikingly similar to that exhibited by cellular chromatin. 'Native' core preparations contain compact and less highly-folded forms: the latter appear as thick fibres, 150-300Å in diameter. Upon exposure to 0.4M NaC1, adenovirus cores undergo a transition to a beaded string form, reminiscent of nucleosomes. Of the three arginine-rich proteins, polypeptides V, VII and μ present in 'native' cores, only polypeptide VII remains associated with viral DNA in the presence of 0.4M NaC1. We therefore conclude that the nucleosome-like beads are constructed solely of polypeptide VII. The results of micrococcal nuclease digestion experiments suggest that polypeptide VII is sufficient to protect some 100-300bp of adenoviral DNA.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)441-460
Number of pages20
JournalNucleic acids research
Volume11
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 25 1983

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Genetics

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