WinterVomitingLab:Protocols/Virus weight calculations

What is the weight of human norovirus? Or VLPs?

MW of ssRNA genome

   = (7.5kb x 320.5) + 159.0
   = 2,404 kDa (or g/ml)
   = 3.99 x 10^-12 ug

VP1 capsid of 90 dimers (180 copies)

   = 60 kDa x 180 
   = 10,800 kDa
   = 1.8 x 10^-11 ug

VP2 (estimated 3 copies per capsid)

   = 22 kDa x 3 
   = 66 kDa

VPg (one copy per genome)

   = 15.8 kDa

For VLPs consisting of only VP1, see above.

For viruses:

   = 2,404 + 10,800 + 66 + 15.8
   = 13,286 KDa
   = 2.2 x 10^-11 ug

Therefore, for a 1 ug/ml preparation of VLP,

   = 1 / (1.8 x 10^-11)
   = 5.6 x 10^10 viruses / ml

For a virus stock that contains 1 x 10^7 viruses / ml

   = (1 x 10^7 viruses) x (2.2 x 10^-11 ug) 
   = 0.00022 ug of viruses / ml

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