Production, purification and preliminary X-ray crystallographic studies of adeno-associated virus serotype 4

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) serotypes 1 to 5 are currently under development as clinical gene delivery vectors for the treatment of human diseases. However, the ubiquitous nature of their cell surface receptors, heparin sulfate (AAV2 and 3) and sialic acids (AAV4 and 5), can preclude specific tissue targeting in vivo. Structural studies of AAV4 were initiated to characterize its capsid surface for re-targeting manipulations. Crystals obtained diffracted synchrotron radiation to 3.2 A resolution. The unit cell is body-centered orthorhombic, I222, with a = 339.6, b = 319.2 and c = 285.0 A. The virus particle orientation and position have been determined.