Cytosolic vibrations initiate the assembly of capsid and genetic material of tobacco mosaic virus — A theoretical perspective

The tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) is a positive-sense single stranded RNA virus that infects a wide range of horticultural crops. TMV is extensively studied and most of its molecular working has been deduced. However, not much is known about how the capsids and the genetic material self-assemble to form the virus. In this study, we give a theoretical perspective and proofs that cytosolic vibrations are involved in the assembly of the TMV. During the replication of TMV, a. RNA (negative-sense RNA) is synthesized using the genomic +RNA (positive-sense RNA) as a template, followed by the synthesis of +RNA using. RNA as a template. This replication process gives raise to electrostatic repulsion between the RNA.s. The negative charge of a RNA molecule works against its folding, whereas, positive ions promote folding by reducing the repulsion between the RNA.s phosphates thus stabilizing the viral RNAs. Stabilization of the viral RNAs by ionic interactions releases energy that causescytosolic vibrations, thus initiating the assembly of the virus. A detailed theoretical perspective is elaborated.