Solution X-ray Scattering Study of Reconstitution Process of Tobacco Mosaic Virus Particle Using Low-Temperature Quenching (MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND INFORMATION-Biopolymer Structure)

The reconstitution process of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) was investigated by the solution X-ray scattering measurements with the synchrotron radiation source using low-temperature quenching. TMV assembly in an aqueous solution is completely stopped below 5°C. The TMV assembly was traced by the small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) measurements at 5°C on a series of solutions prepared by low-temperature quenching after incubation either at 15, 20 or 25°C appropriate interval between 0 and 60 min. The SAXS results were analyzed by the Guinier plot, the Kratky plot and the distant distribution function. In order to account the time course of SAXS profiles in terms of the elongation of TMV assembly, a model calculation was performed by applying Glatter's multibody method. The simulated model functions support the conclusion that the incubation of the RNA and protein of TMV began to reconstitute TMV instantly after mixing, proceeded steeply to a long rod