Differences in the morphology of isometric particles of some plant viruses stained with uranyl acetate as an aid to their identification.
Purified preparations of viruses with small polyhedral particles representing ten distinct taxonomic groups were examined by electron microscopy after negative staining with uranyl acetate. Comparisons of the relative size, shape and surface appearance of the particles established that some of them could be distinguished at the group level. However, the particles of viruses belonging to the bromovirus group could not be distinguished from those of the cucumovirus group, the nepovirus group from those of the comovirus group, and the tombusvirus group from those of the dianthovirus group. Furthermore, the particles of viruses of the sobemovirus, lutoevirus and tobacco necrosis virus groups were indistinguishable. The usefulness of the observed differences in the particle morphologies to virus identification is discussed.
D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D010942:Plant Viruses / Q000145:classification / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D014501:Uranium
D009942:Organometallic Compounds; C005460:uranyl acetate; D014501:Uranium