Structure of Cytoplasmic Polyhedrosis Virus from Bombyx mori.

The structures of full and empty capsids of CPV were studied by negative staining and electron cryomicroscopy and computer reconstruction techniques. By comparing the structures and biochemical compositions, the CPV was identified as a single-layered capsid with its five structural proteins located on it. This single capsid is arranged according to T=1 icosahedral symmetry with 12 turret-like spikes at its icosahedral vertices. The empty and full CPV show identical capsid but differ inside. The dense and ordered genomic dsRNA is located inside the full CPV. The internal space of the empty CPV has almost no electron density except for 12 electron densities attributed the transcriptional enzyme complexes extending inward from the base part of CPV spikes.