VIEW ARTICLE

Physiology and Biochemistry

Comparison of the Effects of Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate on Some Isometric Viruses. W. P. Ronald, Technician, Research Station, Agriculture Canada, 6660 N.W. Marine Drive, Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6T 1X2; J. H. Tremaine, Research Scientist, Research Station, Agriculture Canada, 6660 N.W. Marine Drive, Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6T 1X2. Phytopathology 66:1302-1309. Accepted for publication 28 April 1976. Copyright © 1976 The American Phytopathological Society, 3340 Pilot Knob Road, St. Paul, MN 55121. All rights reserved.. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-66-1302.

Twenty-two viruses or virus strains were used in a comparison of the effects of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), and MgCl₂ on spherical virus particles. At pH 7, brome mosaic (BMV), broad bean mottle (BBMV), turnip crinkle (TCV), cucumber mosaic (CMV), tomato aspermy viruses (TAV), and four strains of cowpea chlorotic mottle virus (CCMV) were completely dissociated into protein and RNA by 0.2% SDS or less. At pH 5, all but TAV were less sensitive to SDS and two strains of CCMV were not dissociated in 7.5% SDS. With certain SDS concentrations, BMV, BBMV, TCV, CCMV, TAV, CMV, and carnation ringspot virus (CRSV) formed components which were probably SDS-swollen virus particles. At pH 7, MgCl₂ decreased the SDS sensitivity of BMV, BBMV, TCV, CCMV strains, saguaro virus, and strains of CRSV. Particles of SDS-sensitive strains of CCMV, and CRSV that had been reacted with formaldehyde at pH 5 were totally resistant to SDS at pH 5; at pH 7, however, they became increasingly swollen with increasing SDS concentrations. At pH 7, some particles in cucumber necrosis virus, tobacco necrosis virus, and carnation mottle virus preparations were dissociated by low concentrations of SDS, but the remaining particles were not dissociated in 15% SDS. Turnip yellow mosaic virus and two comoviruses (echtes Ackerböhnemosaik and radish mosaic viruses) were resistant to SDS in the presence of EDTA. Southern bean mosaic, tomato bushy stunt, cocksfoot mottle, and sowbane mosaic viruses were resistant to SDS alone but were dissociated in SDS-EDTA solutions at pH 7.