Density Gradient Centrifugation Studies on Rabies Virus

Abstract
Cesium chloride density gradient centrifugation of rabies virus revealed a heterogeneous population of infectious virus particles, the majority of which showed a density of 1.20 g/ml. From results obtained by rate zonal centrifugation in preformed sucrose gradients, it was possible to calculate a sedimentation coefficient of about 600S for rabies virus. Sedimentation coefficients of about 23S and 10S were calculated for two soluble rabies antigens present in infected tissue-culture fluids, and they showed a density of 1.26 g/ml in cesium chloride solutions.