Comparative neutron small-angle scattering study of small spherical RNA viruses.

Small-angle neutron scattering from solutions of small RNA viruses has been used to study protein-nucleic acid organisation. In the five viruses investigated the RNA is confined to a sphere of about 100 A radius, with a central hole (with one possible exception). The interpenetration of RNA and protein varies with viruses and seems to be related to the natrue of the forces stabilising the virus.