The estimation of virus density in isopycnic cesium chloride gradients

Methods for estimating the density of virus particles after isopycnic centrifugation in cesium chloride gradients were examined. If solutions were prepared in different buffers, the standard tables relating refractive index and density, based on solutions prepared in water, did not give consistent estimates even if corrections were made for the greater refractive indices of the buffers. Depending on the method and buffer used, estimates of the density of cricket paralysis virus, an insect picornavirus, differed by as much as 0.05 g/ml. However, consistent estimates were obtained if separate regression equations were derived to relate refractive index and density for each different buffer solution of cesium chloride. This has wider implications and could account for density differences or variations in estimates reported for many other viruses.