title: The molecular length of measles virus RNA and the structural organization of measles nucleocapsids.
abstract: Full-length measles virus RNA molecules isolated from purified virions or nucleocapsids and examined by electron microscopy were 5.12(+/- 0.12) micron in length, corresponding to a molecular weight of 5.2 (+/- 0.1) X 10(6). Purified virions examined by negative staining in the electron microscope exhibited a pleomorphic range of particle sizes varying in diameter between 300 nm and 1000 nm. Purified nucleocapsids had dimensions of 21 nm (diameter) X 1254(+/- 7) nm (length) and a central core of diameter about 5 nm. Full-length nucleocapsids were composed of 204 (+/- 3) protein discs. The pitch of the nucleocapsid helix was calculated to be 6.1 nm and the helix angle, alpha, to be 8 degrees 16'. Approximate volume calculations indicate that each enveloped virus particle contains multiple nucleocapsids.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002213:Capsid / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002460:Cell Line; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D007668:Kidney; D008459:Measles virus / Q000235:genetics*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000302:isolation & purification*
chemical_list: D012367:RNA, Viral