Inter- and intrahexonal connections between adenovirus hexon polypeptides in the two-dimensional crystalline array

Abstract

High-resolution micrographs revealed the presence of linkers between adenovirus hexon capsomers organized into two-dimensional, closely packed arrays. Examination of electron micrographs directly and by Markham's rotational integration technique permitted the establishment of the arrangement of the interhexonal connective elements within small, distinct parts of the crystalline array. Every hexon is joined to its six nearest neighbors by six times two parallel connections. Intrahexonal connections were found also among the three polypeptide subunits constituting one complete hexon.