Primary changes of the mechanical properties of Southern Bean Mosaic Virus upon calcium removal.

ABSTRACT: The mechanical properties of viral shells are crucial determinates for the pathway and mechanism by which the genetic material leaves the capsid during infection and have therefore been studied by atomic force microscopy as well as by atomistic simulations. The mechanical response to forces from inside the capsid are found to be relevant, especially after ion removal from the shell structure, which is generally assumed to be essential during viral infection; however, atomic force microscopy measurements are restricted to probing the capsids from outside, and the primary effect of ion removal is still inaccessible. To bridge this gap, we performed atomistic force-probe molecular dynamics simulations of the complete solvated icosahedral shell of Southern Bean Mosaic Virus and compared the di

SUBMITTER: Zink M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2820651 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature