Effects of Salts on Internal DNA Pressure and Mechanical Properties of Phage Capsids
2011
Evilevitch, Alex | Roos, Wouter H. | Ivanovska, Irena L. | Jeembaeva, Meerim | Jönsson, Bengt | Wuite, Gijs J.L.
Based on atomic force microscopy nanoindentation measurements of phage λ, we previously proposed a minimal model describing the effect of water hydrating DNA that strengthens viral capsids against external deformation at wild-type DNA packing density. Here, we report proof of this model by testing the prediction that DNA hydration forces can be dramatically decreased by addition of multivalent ions (Mg²⁺ and Sp⁴⁺). These results are explained using a DNA hydration model without adjustable parameters. The model also predicts the stiffness of other DNA-filled capsids, which we confirm using bacteriophage ϕ29 and herpes simplex virus type 1 particles.
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