Atomic force microscopy visualization of tobacco mosaic virus RNA and TMV ribonuclioproteins

摘要

Observation of high molecular weight virus PNAon different substrates is performed using atomic forcemicroscopy (AFM). The process of RNA releasing from proteincoating due to chemical treatment of the virus is studied.Particular attention is paid to the techniques of samplepreparation and immobilization of structures. It is the firstdemonstration of the AFM images of tobacco mosaic viralparticles, deproteinized virus structures and fully released RNAmolecules. The statistical analysis of the obtained images isperformed. The main factors restricting the spatial resolution ofthe AFM images are revealed.