Factors Influencing the Production of Intermediate Particles During Alkaline Degradation of Tobacco Mosaic Virus: Time, pH, Salt Concentration, and Temperature

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Abstract
Kinetic analysis of the alkaline degradation of tobacco mosaic virus revealed degradation to be a stepwise process during which 5 distinct intermediate nucleoprotein particles were formed. Each intermediate accumulated before being degraded to the next smaller particle. After prolonged exposure to alkali, a stable nucleoprotein particle accumulated. The rate of alkaline degradation of tobacco mosaic virus was retarded by lowering pH (10.3-9.0), increasing salt concentration (0-100 mM), or increasing incubation temperature over the range of 0-22.degree. C. A fraction (15-25%) of the total virus population appeared to be completely resistant to alkaline degradation, but the progeny of virus fraction was sensitive to alkaline degradation.