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Updated: Jul 28, 2026

Determination of Molecular Structures of HIV Envelope Glycoproteins using Cryo-Electron Tomography and Automated Sub-tomogram Averaging
Published on: December 1, 2011
The morphology of human immunodeficiency virus particles by negative staining electron microscopy
Abstract:
Negative staining electron microscopy was used to examine culture fluids from the H9/HTLV-III cell line after concentration by centrifugation. Characteristic retrovirus-like particles bearing distinctive envelope projections were seen. The virion envelope was frequently extended in the form of a bleb or a tail. These particles were morphologically virtually indistinguishable from similar preparations of Friend murine leukaemia virus. H9/HTLV-III culture fluids contained, in addition, numerous comet-shaped particles with a dense head and flared tail. These particles were clumped by the addition of anti-HTLV-III-positive serum suggesting that they may represent intermediate forms of the virus.
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