New rhinovirus uncoating intermediate reveals how sodium versus potassium ions influence RNA release.

ABSTRACT: Electron microscopy (EM) of rhinovirus A2 (RV-A2) incubated in Na⁺ phosphate buffer (pH 7.6) for 12 h at 25 °C revealed partial fragmentation, whereas upon incubation in K⁺ phosphate buffer, RV-A2 appeared intact. In buffers adjusted to pH 5.8, these differences became more pronounced; acidic Na⁺ phosphate buffer promoted disintegration of the particles, whereas in acidic K⁺ phosphate buffer, the virus appeared like native. Incubation in the acidic buffers for one hour at 4 °C followed by neutralisation resulted in the respective formation of non-infectious A particles (in Na⁺) and a non-infectious novel uncoating intermediate (in K⁺), which we termed 'E0 particle'. Negative staining EM revealed phosphotungstate penetration

SUBMITTER: Real-Hohn A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12541096 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature