Biophysical characterization of rotavirus particles containing rearranged genomes

Human rotaviruses containing rearranged genomes were found to package up to 1,800 additional base pairs in virus particles. The viruses compared were indistinguishable in respect of their particle diameters and their apparent S values. Particles containing rearranged genomes were found to be of a higher density than rotavirus particles containing a standard genome as determined by equilibrium density ultracentrifugation. The increase in density was directly proportional to the number of additionally packaged base pairs.