Structure of the antigen from Fiji disease virus particles eliciting antibodies specific to double-stranded polyribonucleotides.
Antisera with Fiji disease virus (FDV) protein-specific and double-stranded (ds) RNA-specific antibodies were prepared by injecting rabbits with highly purified preparations of FDV cores. Electron microscopic examination of negatively stained core preparations disclosed the presence of icosahedral particles, about 54 nm in diameter, with projections (B spikes) at their vertices as previously reported. However, observations on similar preparations by electron microscopy of specimens shadowed at a low angle, by immune electron microscopy and by examination of thin sections of pelleted material, established that the particles consisted of cores to which some ds RNA strands were attached externally. The relationship of FDV core structure to its immunogenic properties is discussed.
van der Lubbe
J L
JL
Department of Plant Pathology, Waite Agricultural Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Glen Osmond, South Australia, 5064.
Hatta
T
T
Francki
R I
RI