Three-Dimensional Structure of Herpes Simplex Virus from Cryo-Electron Tomography

Kay Grünewald, Prashant Desai, Dennis C. Winkler, J. Bernard Heymann, David M. Belnap, Wolfgang Baumeister, Alasdair C. Steven

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

412 Scopus citations

Abstract

Herpes simplex virus, a DNA virus of high complexity, consists of a nucleocapsid surrounded by the tegument-a protein compartment-and the envelope. The latter components, essential for infectivity, are pleiomorphic. Visualized in cryo-electron tomograms of isolated virions, the tegument was seen to form an asymmetric cap: On one side, the capsid closely approached the envelope; on the other side, they were separated by ∼35 nanometers of tegument. The tegument substructure was particulate, with some short actin-like filaments. The envelope contained 600 to 750 glycoprotein spikes that varied in length, spacing, and in the angles at which they emerge from the membrane. Their distribution was nonrandom, suggesting functional clustering.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1396-1398
Number of pages3
JournalScience
Volume302
Issue number5649
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 21 2003

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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