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Updated: Oct 20, 2025
12:31
Chemoselective Modification of Viral Surfaces via Bioorthogonal Click Chemistry
Published on: August 19, 2012
25.0K
Controlling the surface charge of simple viruses.
A L Duran-Meza1, M V Villagrana-Escareño2, J Ruiz-García2
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America.
Plos One
|September 10, 2021
Summary
Brome Mosaic Virus (BMV) and Cowpea Chlorotic Mottle Virus (CCMV) surface charges were analyzed. BMV has a higher isoelectric point than CCMV, crucial for understanding virus interactions and bionanomaterials.
Area of Science:
- Plant virology
- Biophysics
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Most plant viruses are unenveloped, unlike many animal viruses.
- Surface charge dictates plant virus interactions and potential bionanomaterial applications.
- Surface charge is influenced by pH, ionic strength, and internal genetic material.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the electrophoretic properties of Brome Mosaic Virus (BMV).
- To compare BMV's properties with Cowpea Chlorotic Mottle Virus (CCMV).
- To understand the role of surface charge in viral infectivity and bionanomaterial design.
Main Methods:
- Electrophoretic mobility measurements in solution and gel.
- Analysis of BMV virions, empty capsids, and capsid protein.
- Comparison of results with previously studied CCMV.
Main Results:
- Brome Mosaic Virus (BMV) exhibits a significantly higher isoelectric point (pI) of 5.2 compared to CCMV's 3.7.
- Virion electrophoretic mobilities (EMs) closely match those of their respective empty capsids.
- Isoelectric points of virions and their cleaved protein subunits are comparable.
Conclusions:
- Surface charge properties of BMV and CCMV differ, impacting their interactions.
- Viral surface charge is a key factor in biological processes and bionanomaterial development.
- Understanding these properties aids in designing novel drug and gene delivery systems.
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