Polycation-induced alterations of the envelope surface of influenza and parainfluenza viruses

Natural macromolecular polycations (protamine, histones H1, H2A, H2B and H3) caused the clustering of influenza and parainfluenza viruses into aggregates heterogeneous in size, as well as a decrease in their hemagglutinating capacity. Polycation-induced virus alterations consisted in surface pyknosis and an increase most efficient as regards the interaction with viruses.