title: Subassembly aggregates of papaya mosaic virus protein.
abstract: An examination of the number of subunits in small aggregates of papaya mosaic virus (PMV) coat protein is presented based on a model system which gives results consistent with the experimental observation that the 14 S subassembly species is a double disc, composed of two rows of nine subunits each. The estimated hydration of the disc, about 0.85 g 1H20/9 protein, is unusually large and indicates a cavitated structure for the disc. Comparison with other rod-shaped viruses suggests that the flexuous nature of PMV is a consequence of sparse axial inter-subunit contacts at high radius.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant Sciences, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, USA.
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Erickson
authors.forename: F R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Hallett
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Bancroft