Membrane-containing virus particles exhibit the mechanics of a composite material for genome protection. Issue 16 (16th April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Azinas, S.; Bano, F.; Torca, I.; Bamford, D. H.; Schwartz, G. A.; Esnaola, J.; Oksanen, H. M.; Richter, R. P.; Abrescia, N. G.
• Is Part Of: Nanoscale. Volume 10:Issue 16(2018)
• Page Start: 7769
• Page End: 7779
• Publication Date: 2018-04-16
• Subjects: Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; 620.505
• DOI: 10.1039/c8nr00196k
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2040-3364

Abstract

Abstract : The proteinaceous capsid and internal membrane vesicle of bacteriophage PRD1 bond to create a tough composite material that protects the integrity of the virus and its genome. Abstract : The protection of the viral genome during extracellular transport is an absolute requirement for virus survival and replication. In addition to the almost universal proteinaceous capsids, certain viruses add a membrane layer that encloses their double-stranded (ds) DNA genome within the protein shell. Using the membrane-containing enterobacterial virus PRD1 as a prototype, and a combination of nanoindentation assays by atomic force microscopy and finite element modelling, we show that PRD1 provides a greater stability against mechanical stress than that achieved by the majority of dsDNA icosahedral viruses that lack a membrane. We propose that the combination of a stiff and brittle proteinaceous shell coupled with a soft and compliant membrane vesicle yields a tough composite nanomaterial well-suited to protect the viral DNA during extracellular transport.