A simple and rapid method to monitor the disassembly and reassembly of virus-like particles.

Protein fluorescence spectra (~300-440 nm) could be used as a simple and sensitive method to monitor the disassembly and reassembly of virus-like particles (VLPs). Insect cell expressed and purified HPV-16 L1 VLPs show significantly high fluorescence intensity, whereas the fluorescence is almost quenched after disassembly by adding the reducing agent. By removing the reducing agent, the fluorescence was restored to its original intensity, indicating the reassembly of VLPs. The data are consistent with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) reactivity using conformation-specific mouse monoclonal antibody. The same method could be extended to VLPs of other viruses.