Abstract
The solution conditions necessary for the aggregation of the coat protein of f2 bacteriophage into virus sized shells in the absence of RNA have been investigated. There is a broad pH optimum between 5.5 and 7.0, and as expected the aggregation is strongly concentration dependent. The shells form only below 25 °C, but do so rapidly at these temperatures. Ionic strength is important in the formation of shells, and the species of ions are crucial. The presence of RNA promotes shell formation under conditions where shells normally will not form spontaneously. The stability of shells once formed is quite great, and in fact may be equivalent to the stability of whole phage. Using these data and other information, a structure for shells and phage has been proposed.
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