Physics – Medical Physics
Scientific paper
Jan 1997
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1997aipc..387..921g&link_type=abstract
Space technology and applications international forum (STAIF - 97). AIP Conference Proceedings, Volume 387, pp. 921-926 (1997).
Physics
Medical Physics
Aerospace Bio- And Medical Physics
Scientific paper
The coat protein VP1 of polyomavirus was utilized as a model protein to determine the effects of microgravity on the stability of the protein, as well as its ability to self-assemble into capsid-like particles that resemble the intact virus. Our laboratory has previously reported that microgravity, under physiological conditions, caused the capsomere subunits to swell and lose their ability to assemble into capsid-like particles in the presence of calcium. When subjected to prolonged exposure to microgravity, the capsomeres swelled even further, becoming amorphous, losing their characteristic capsomere-like structure, which is highly indicative of protein unfolding. Other experiments, which utilized high ionic conditions (2.0 M NaCl) in the assembly reaction mixture, exhibited the presence of capsomeres which appeared more stable and also retained the capability of self assembly into capsid-like particles in microgravity. The high salt conditions apparently prevented the unfolding of the recombinant VP1 protein in microgravity. In subsequent studies, involving native polyomavirus virions or empty capsids, it was revealed that when these native particles were subjected to microgravity, they retained their characteristic structures but were found to have swollen in diameter by approximately 10%. This observation also seems to be indicative of the occurrence of a protein unfolding phenomenon.
Chang Deching
Consigli Richard
Gillock Eric
Paulsen Avelina
Rottinghaus Scott
No associations
LandOfFree
The effect of microgravity on the stability and assembly of viral proteins does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with The effect of microgravity on the stability and assembly of viral proteins, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The effect of microgravity on the stability and assembly of viral proteins will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1784604