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Direct Measurement of Phage phi29 Stiffness Provides Evidence of Internal Pressure
Author(s) -
HernandoPérez Mercedes,
Miranda Roberto,
Aznar María,
Carrascosa José L.,
Schaap Iwan A. T.,
Reguera David,
de Pablo Pedro J.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
small
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.785
H-Index - 236
eISSN - 1613-6829
pISSN - 1613-6810
DOI - 10.1002/smll.201200664
Subject(s) - capsid , internal pressure , nanoindentation , dna , stiffness , counterion , materials science , chemistry , composite material , virology , virus , ion , biology , biochemistry , organic chemistry
Using AFM nanoindentation experiments, DNA‐full phi29 phage capsids are shown to be stiffer than when empty. The presence of counterions softens full viruses in a reversible manner, indicating that pressure originates from the confined DNA. A finite element analysis of the experiments provides an estimate of the pressure of ∼40 atm inside the capsid, which is similar to theoretical predictions.