Structural elements in adenovirus cores. Studies by means of freeze-fracturing and ultrathin sectioning

Abstract

Rod-like elements have been observed in adenovirions after freeze-fracturing of purified, semi-purified and intra-cellular adenovirus type 5. Their rod-like shape was clearly demonstrated by means of stereomicrographs. Ultrathin sections prepared in parallel with the freeze-fracture replicas revealed linear structures such as ribbons, rings or rods in up to 30 per cent of the semi-purified or intracellular virus particles. These observations indicate that the main ‘structural element’ in the adenovirus interior is a linear structure either fragmented into 5 to 6 ‘rods’ or folded 5 to 6 times to fit into the inner space of the virion.