Virus-like particles (VLPs), which are the genome-free component of native viruses, have been studied as therapeutic or diagnostic tools because of their inner space that can hold drug molecules and good dispersion in serum.  There are many 2.0 nm apertures, �nanopores�, in a VLP surface which small molecules can permeate but larger molecules cannot.  Here, we report that single-stranded RNAs (ssRNAs) can pass through nanopores in a surface of VLPs from JC polyomavirus, but double stranded RNAs can not. Capsid viral protein 1 (VP1) derived from JCV contains six cysteine residues, however only cysteines located on the internal surface of the virus particle, are exposed to the solvent.  VLPs were incubated with single or double stranded FITC-labeled RNAs which contain the thiol reactive group: N-succinimidyl 3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionate (SPDP) at room temperature for 1 h.  The number of encapsulated RNAs through cysteines in a single VLP was estimated after purification by size exclusion chromatography (SEC ) by fluorescent measurement. The number of encapsulated ssRNAs was larger than that of dsRNAs, indicating that ssRNA can pass through nanopores in a surface of VLPs.  Our results suggest that virus capsules could be useful device for trapping or sensing of target ssRNAs.

Single-stranded RNA selective permeation through nanopores in a virus capsule surface

247th National Meeting (2014)

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