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First published online 17 June 2008
doi: 10.1242/jcs.032284

Journal of Cell Science 121, 2287-2292 (2008)
Published by The Company of Biologists 2008
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Research Article

Exceptional mechanical and structural stability of HSV-1 unveiled with fluid atomic force microscopy

Ivan Liashkovich1,*, Wali Hafezi2,3,*, Joachim E. Kühn2,3, Hans Oberleithner1, Armin Kramer1 and Victor Shahin1,{ddagger}

1 Institute of Physiology II, University of Münster, Robert-Koch-Str. 27b, 48149 Münster, Germany
2 Institute of Medical Microbiology, University of Münster, Domagkstr. 10, 48149 Münster, Germany
3 Interdisciplinary Center of Clinical Research (IZKF), University of Münster, Domagkstr. 3, 48149 Münster, Germany

{ddagger} Author for correspondence (e-mail: shahin{at}uni-muenster.de)

Accepted 22 April 2008

Evidence is emerging that changes in the structural and mechanical properties of viral particles are closely linked and that such changes are essential to infectivity. Here, applying the nanostructural and nanomechanical approach of atomic force microscopy, we visualised capsids of the ubiquitous human pathogen herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) at nano-scale resolution in physiologically relevant conditions. Simultaneously performed nano-indentation measurements on genome-containing and genome-free capsids revealed that genome-containing HSV-1 capsids withstand an exceptionally large mechanical force of ~6 nN, which is three times larger than the highest values previously reported for other viruses. Greater mechanical forces, however, led to a release of the viral genome. The resulting genome-free capsids, which largely retained their overall structure, were found to be utterly elastic. HSV-1 capsids thus exhibit an exceptional structural and mechanical stability, which is largely provided by the densely packaged genome. This stability might be the key determinant for capsid survival over long distances in the axonal cytoplasm where it is exposed to mechanical forces by molecular motors before it reaches the nuclear pore for crucial genome uncoating.

Key words: Atomic force microscopy, Herpes simplex virus type-1, Nano-indentation


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[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


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