title: Biophysical characterization of GB virus C from human plasma.
abstract: Viral characterization studies were carried out on GB virus C (GBV-C) RNA positive plasma from normal human donors and from donors co-infected with GBV-C and hepatitis C virus (HCV). GBV-C RNA was detected by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and probe hybridization in a single tube assay. Sequential filtration of GBV-C positive plasma indicated that GBV-C RNA is associated with a particle 50-100 nm in diameter. The peak of GBV-C RNA in sucrose gradients was observed at a buoyant density of 1.05-1.13 g/ml. GBV-C RNA titer was reduced following treatment with chloroform or with five detergents indicating that GBV-C has a lipid-containing envelope. Sucrose density gradients and self-forming cesium chloride gradients of detergent-treated GBV-C showed a shift in the RNA peak to heavier buoyant density only when RNase inhibitor (RNasin) and high detergent concentrations were present. The treated material was non-filterable and the RNA had a density of > 1.5 gm/ml.
authors.affiliation: Virus Discovery Group, Experimental Biology Research, Abbott Diagnostic Division, Abbott Laboratories, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA.
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Melvin
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Dawson
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Carrick
authors.forename: G G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Schlauder
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Heynen
authors.forename: I K
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Mushahwar
mesh_terms: D002499:Centrifugation, Density Gradient; D002500:Centrifugation, Isopycnic; D003902:Detergents / Q000494:pharmacology; D005374:Filtration; D018067:Flaviviridae / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000821:virology; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000150:complications / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood* / Q000737:chemistry; D012260:Ribonucleases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D014766:Viremia / Q000821:virology
chemical_list: D003902:Detergents; D012367:RNA, Viral; D012260:Ribonucleases