ROD-LIKE SHAPE OF VESICULAR STOMATITIS-VIRUS MATRIX PROTEIN

The shape of purified matrix protein (M) of vesicular stomatitis virus was determined using biophysical techniques like analytical centrifug ation, dynamic light scattering, and small-angle neutron scattering. T he data obtained are consistent with a rod-like model for M protein wi th a length of about 100 +/- 10 Angstrom and a radius of 9 +/- 1 Angst rom. These dimensions are in agreement with the substructure of M prot ein aggregates and with the fine morphology of the axial channel mater ial found inside the viral nucleocapsid coil. This morphological infor mation was combined with Co measurements and secondary structure predi ctions on four vesiculovirus M proteins leading to a proposal for the structure of M protein. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.