Venezuelan equine: encephalomyelitis virus: structural components / Componentes estructurales: virus encefalomielitis equina venezolana

ABSTRACT

Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis (VEE) virus, purified in sucrose density gradients was examined with the electron microscope before and after sodium desoxycholate (DOC) treatment. The structure of the nucleocapsid revealed 10 to 12 nm ring shaped units organized into an icosahedral symmetry. Density gradied fractions exhibiting hemagglutinating activity after DOC treatment show 12 to 18 nm particles lined by short projections. These isolated hemagglutinating subunits are though to correspond to the superficial spikes of VEE virus