Isolation and characterization of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis virus nucleocapsids.

Nucleocapsids from subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) virus-infected CV-1 cells were concentrated by differential centrifugation employing sucrose cushion techniques and further purified by centrifugation through a linear CsCl density gradient. The bouyant density of (3)H-uridine-labeled nucleocapsids in CsCl was found to be 1.31 g/cm(3). Ultraviolet absorption spectra of the purified SSPE nucleocapsid showed an absorption maximum at 260 to 265 nm and a 280/260 ratio that corresponded to a nucleic acid content of approximately 4.3%. Negatively stained preparations of SSPE nucleocapsids were found to have a width of 18 +/- 1 nm, a periodicity of 5 to 6 nm, and a length between 1-1.4 mum, with the greatest number at 1.3 mum.