Influence of embedding media on DNA structure in herpes simplex virus type 1

The organization of encapsidated herpes simplex viral DNA in situ was examined by use of the osmium-amine stain specific for DNA. After either formaldehyde or glutaraldehyde fixation the DNA is packaged in a compact toroid without inner structure with Epon or GMA embedment but revealed a complex inn...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inBiology of the cell Vol. 54; no. 2; p. 195
Main Authors Puvion-Dutilleul, F, Pichard, E, Leduc, E H
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England 1985
Subjects
Acrylic Resins
Animals
Cell Line
DNA, Viral - analysis
Epoxy Resins
Fixatives
Microscopy, Electron - methods
Microtomy - methods
Polyhydroxyethyl Methacrylate
Protein Conformation
Rabbits
Resins, Synthetic
Simplexvirus - analysis
Staining and Labeling
Time Factors
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Summary:The organization of encapsidated herpes simplex viral DNA in situ was examined by use of the osmium-amine stain specific for DNA. After either formaldehyde or glutaraldehyde fixation the DNA is packaged in a compact toroid without inner structure with Epon or GMA embedment but revealed a complex inner structure with Lowicryl K4M embedment. In the latter there was an inner cylindrical core, 50 X 80 nm, around which were apposed one or more thick filaments of 5-8 nm diameter. Thinner DNA filaments of 3-4 nm diameter form a cage of loose coils around the core with an intervening space of approximately 15 nm. Lowicryl embedding may be considered as a tool to investigate the packaging of viral DNA in virions.
ISSN:0248-4900
DOI:10.1111/j.1768-322X.1985.tb00394.x