Inactivation of Mouse Elberfeld virus by periodate

Abstract

Mouse Elberfeld virus (ME virus) is rapidly inactivated by sodium metaperiodate at millimolar concentrations. Inactivation was observed at all pH's examined from 3 to 8, but showed 2 distinct optima, one at pH 4 and another at pH 7. Inactivation was accompanied at both pH's by complete dissociation of the virion into its protein and RNA components. The infectivity of the RNA recovered from inactivated virions was the same as that of the untreated control. It is concluded that inactivation of viral infectivity is not due to attack on the RNA genome but rather to attack by periodate on some components of the viral capsid. The possible identity of the periodate sensitive site is discussed.