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Methodology for the Efficient Generation of Fluorescently Tagged Vaccinia Virus Proteins
Published on: January 17, 2014
SOME CONSTITUENTS OF ELEMENTARY BODIES OF VACCINIA
J E Smadel1, G I Lavin, R J Dubos
1Hospital and the Laboratories of The Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research.
The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|October 30, 2009
Summary
Researchers extracted soluble materials from vaccinia virus using sodium hydroxide, revealing a nucleoprotein with thymus nucleic acid and a separate S antigen. This challenges the notion that S antigen is always bound to nucleic acid.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Vaccinia virus elementary bodies are complex structures.
- Understanding viral component composition is crucial for virology and immunology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the chemical composition of vaccinia virus elementary bodies.
- To identify soluble components extractable from vaccinia virus.
Main Methods:
- Treatment of vaccinia elementary bodies with dilute sodium hydroxide solutions.
- Analysis of extracted soluble materials and remaining viral components.
Main Results:
- Soluble materials constituted 50% of the virus's dry weight.
- A nucleoprotein containing thymus nucleic acid was identified.
- A substance reacting with S antibodies was isolated, distinct from nucleic acid.
Conclusions:
- Vaccinia virus contains both nucleic acid-bound and free S antigen components.
- The composition of vaccinia virus is more complex than previously assumed regarding S antigen.
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