Table 1.
Effect of incubation at 37°C on DNA uncoating in HSV-1 C-capsids and bacteriophage lambdaa
| Specimen | Incubation Temperature | Treatment | Full (%) | Empty (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HSV-1 C-capsids | 4°C | None | 252 (85%) | 44 (15%) |
| HSV-1 C-capsids | 37°C | None | 26 (6%) | 407 (94%) |
| HSV-1 C-capsids | 37°C | 1% formaldehyde | 330 (97%) | 10 (3%) |
| HSV-1 C-capsids | 37°C | Protease inhibitorsb | 176 (29%) | 431 (71%) |
| HSV-1 C-capsids | 37°C | 10 mM DFPc | 39 (14%) | 240 (86%) |
| Bacteriophage λ | 4°C | None | 172 (86%) | 28 (14%) |
| Bacteriophage λ | 37°C | None | 369 (88%) | 50 (12%) |
a
HSV-1 C capsids were adsorbed to electron microscope grids, heated in TNE for 2 hrs at 37°C, and stained as described in Materials and Methods. The same procedure was used for bacteriophage λ. Capsids or λ virions where then examined in the electron microscope and scored visually for the presence of DNA inside the capsid.
b
Roche Diagnostics Complete diluted as described in Materials and Methods.
c
Diisopropyl-fluorophosphate