Bacteriophage capsids: Tough nanoshells with complex elastic properties
Bacteriophage capsids: Tough nanoshells with complex elastic properties
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DOI：
10.1073/pnas.0308198101
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发表时间：
2004-05-18
影响因子：
11.1
通讯作者：
Wuite, GJL
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
Ivanovska, IL;de Pablo, PJ;Wuite, GJL
噬菌体的外壳在宿主转移过程中保护病毒DNA，并作为高压容器储存DNA注射到宿主细菌中的能量。在这里，我们通过施加点力来探测纳米尺寸的噬菌体029外壳的机械特性。我们表明，空壳承受纳牛顿的力量，而缩进高达30%的高度。弹性响应在整个表面上变化，反映了壳蛋白的排列。测得的杨氏模量（约为1.8GPa）与硬塑料的杨氏模量相当。我们还观察到疲劳和破损的衣壳后，探测他们反复。这些结果说明了病毒外壳提供的机械保护作用，并提出了纳米技术的设计原则。
The shell of bacteriophages protects the viral DNA during host-tohost transfer and serves as a high-pressure container storing energy for DNA injection into a host bacterium. Here, we probe the mechanical properties of nanometer-sized bacteriophage 029 shells by applying point forces. We show that empty shells withstand nanonewton forces while being indented up to 30% of their height. The elastic response varies across the surface, reflecting the arrangement of shell proteins. The measured Young's modulus (approximate to1.8 GPa) is comparable with that of hard plastic. We also observe fatigue and breakage of capsids after probing them repetitively. These results illustrate the mechanoprotection that viral shells provide and also suggest design principles for nanotechnology.