[Covalent-bound aggregates of equine venezuelan encephalomyelitis virus induced by UV-irradiation].

Formation of Venecuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus (VEE) aggregates induced by UV-light has been studied. The high doses of UV-irradiation induced the protein-protein cross-links resulting in formation of fast sedimenting viral structures. The latter structures are supposed to be presented by the aggregates of several virions linked by the UV-light induced RNA-protein and protein-protein covalent bonds. The lesions in the fine structure of virion envelope was registered by the electron microscopy technique.