Influence of host cell type on the density of herpes simplex virus particles

The densities of purified herpes simplex virus (HSV) particles prepared from infected rabbit lung (ZP) and baby hamster kidney (BHK-21) cells were investigated in potassium tartrate (PT) and potassium citrate (PC) density gradients. Virions obtained from ZP cells exhibited a higher density than those from BHK-21 cells. In PT and PC gradients, the former banded at densities of 1.226 and 1.267, while tha latter at 1.194 and 1.233, respectively. Deenveloped viral particles prepared by Nonidet P-40 treatment from purified virions of either origin were found in PT and PC gradients at the densities of 1.263 and 1.320, respectively. The possible causes of the density change of virions propagated in different hosts are discussed.