title: Electron cryo-microscopy and image reconstruction of adeno-associated virus type 2 empty capsids.
abstract: Adeno-associated virus type 2 empty capsids are composed of three proteins, VP1, VP2 and VP3, which have relative molecular masses of 87, 72 and 62 kDa, respectively, and differ in their N-terminal amino acid sequences. They have a likely molar ratio of 1:1:8 and occupy symmetrical equivalent positions in an icosahedrally arranged protein shell. We have investigated empty capsids of adeno-associated virus type 2 by electron cryo-microscopy and icosahedral image reconstruction. The three-dimensional map at 1.05 nm resolution showed sets of three elongated spikes surrounding the three-fold symmetry axes and narrow empty channels at the five-fold axes. The inside of the capsid superimposed with the previously determined structure of the canine parvovirus (Q. Xie and M.S. Chapman, 1996, J. Mol. Biol., 264, 497-520), whereas the outer surface showed clear discrepancies. Globular structures at the inner surface of the capsid at the two-fold symmetry axes were identified as possible positions for the N-terminal extensions of VP1 and VP2.
authors.affiliation: Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, Forschungsschwerpunkt Angewandte Tumorvirologie, Im Neuenheimer Feld 242, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kronenberg
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Kleinschmidt
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Böttcher
mesh_terms: D015153:Blotting, Western; D002213:Capsid / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D020285:Cryoelectron Microscopy / Q000379:methods*; D000229:Dependovirus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008958:Models, Molecular; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary