ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPY VISUALIZATION OF TOBACCO MOSAIC VIRUS RNA AND TMV RIBONUCLIOPROTEINS

M. O. Gallyamov, Yu. F. Drygin, I. V. Yaminsky

Observation of high molecular weight virus RNA on different substrates is performed using atomic force microscopy (AFM). The process of RNA releasing from protein coating due to chemical treatment of the virus is studied. Particular attention is paid to the techniques of sample preparation and immobilization of structures. It is the first demonstration of the AFM images of tobacco mosaic viral particles, deproteinized virus structures and fully released RNA molecules. The statistical analysis of the obtained images is performed. The main factors restricting the spatial resolution of the AFM images are revealed.

ПОВЕРХНОСТЬ. Рентгеновские, синхротронные и нейтронные исследования (1999), №7, сс. 104-108.