Author/Authors :
rkhipenko, M.V Department of Virology - Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia , Nikitin, N.A Department of Virology - Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia , Baranov, O.A Department of Virology - Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia , Evtushenko, E.A Department of Virology - Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia , Atabekov, J.G Department of Virology - Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
Abstract :
VOL. 11 No 4 (43) 2019 | ACTA NATURAE | 73RESEARCH ARTICLES
ABSTRACT Currently, the assembly of helical plant viruses is poorly understood. The viral assembly and infection may be affected by the charge distribution on the virion surface. However, only the total virion charge (iso-electric point) has been determined for most plant viruses. Here, we report on the first application of positively charged magnetic nanoparticles for mapping the surface charge distribution of helical plant viruses. The charge was demonstrated to be unevenly distributed on the surface of viruses belonging to different taxonomic groups, with the negative charge being predominantly located at one end of the virions. This charge distribution is mainly controlled by viral RNA.
