Purification of pea enation mosaic virus and the infectivity of its components

Abstract

A slightly modified procedure for purifying pea enation mosaic virus (PEMV) is described. Essential features are the adding of Mg + + ions to the extraction buffer and the use of polyethylene glycol for concentrating the virus; Mg ++ ions seem to protect virus infectivity. Both components of PEMV were found to be infectious. The infectivity of each component in its band on a sucrose gradient was directly proportional to its optical density. The infectivity was not enhanced when both components were simultaneously inoculated onto Chenopodiurn album. It is concluded that each component carries a complete genome of the virus.