Separation of herpes simplex virus virions and nucleocapsids on Percoll gradients

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) virions and nucleocapsids were separated and purified by centrifugation in density gradient of polyvinylpyrrolidone-coated colloidal silica (Percoll). Virions and nucleocapsids banded at densities of 1.07 and 1.03 g/ml, respectively. The distribution in the gradient of virions and nucleocapsids suggested that particles were discriminated according to difference in size rather than in density. The reduction of cell proteins in preparations of purified virions was 1300--2100 times. The recovery of infective virus was approximately 30%.