Figure 5.

AFM images of individual MVM capsids before and after removal of a pentamer of capsomers. (A and B) Images of two different MVM particles taken before (upper) and after (lower) losing a pentamer of capsomers. Before the indentations, the capsid was oriented with an S5 axis (A) or S2 axis (B) on top. During the indentations, the capsid in A rotated, resulting in an S3 axis being positioned on top. In both A and B, the detached pentamer of capsomers can be observed beside the incomplete capsid. Also shown (right) are height profiles of the intact capsid (solid line), and of the incomplete capsid and the detached pentamer (pt) (dashed line), as well as a scheme of the incomplete capsid and the removed pentamer. (C) Closeup image of the detached pentamer of capsomers, with equatorial height profile and schematic illustration.