[Investigation of myxovirus structure by spin probes. I. Thermostability of the lipid membrane of influenza and Sendai viruses].

Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra of the spin probes C5 and C16, the iminoxyl derivatives of stearic acids, have been investigated after their incorporation into lipid membranes of influenza and Sendai viruses. At room temperature the spectra of both probes coincided indicating the similar composition and origin of lipid viral membranes. Similar to influenza virus, Sendai virus was shown to possess the external lipid bilayer. Investigation of the rigidity of the lipid phase of myxoviruses as a function temperature has shown that the structure of the lipid external layer (no less than 8 A in thickness) is due to surface glycoproteins incorporated into the viral membrane. The structural transition of the lipid phase of influenza and Sendai viruses 8 A apart from the viral surface was observed at 50 degrees C. The surface glycoproteins do not probably penetrate deep in the lipid membrane of myxoviruses and do not condition its structure at long distances (22 A) from the viral surface. The completely reversible structural transition of lipid phase at this distance was observed at temperatures 17--20 degrees C.