Degenerate RNA Packaging Signals in the Genome of Satellite Tobacco Necrosis Virus: Implications for the Assembly of a T= 1 Capsid

Using a recombinant, T = 1 Satellite Tobacco Necrosis Virus (STNV)-like particle expressed in Escherichia coli, we have established conditions for in vitro disassembly and reassembly of the viral capsid. In vivo assembly is dependent on the presence of the coat protein (CP) N-terminal region, and in vitro assembly requires RNA. Using immobilised CP monomers under reassembly conditions with “free” CP subunits, we have prepared a range of...