RHODANINE RESISTANCE AND DEPENDENCE OF ECHOVIRUS-12 - A POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCE OF CAPSID FLEXIBILITY

Recombinant viruses of echovirus 12 carrying mutations of a rhodanine- resistant or -dependent variant, were investigated, and five single mu tations each inducing a rhodanine-resistant or -dependent phenotype we re defined. Four mutations are localized in the capsid protein VP1, an d the fifth exchange is in VP4. All original and recombinant viruses w ere shown to be stabilized by the antiviral drug rhodanine against hea t inactivation. Hence, resistant and dependent variants still seem abl e to bind rhodanine, and apparently none of the exchanges affects the putative drug binding site, We hypothesize that drug resistance and de pendence are consequences of an increased flexibility of the virus cap sid.