Improvement on Self-Assembly of Virus-like Particles By the Introduction of Electrostatic Attraction

Virus-like particles (VLPs) are ideal nanoscale carrier beneficial from the biological compatibility and unique nanostructures. However, the application of VLPs is hindered because of the difficult control on self-assembly and loading position. In the present study, introduction of electrostatic attraction was proposed to assist the self-assembly of murinepolyomavirus (MPV) VLP through the construction of two mutants of subunit, capsomere (Cap). One was introduced with positive charge (m+Cap) while the other was introduced with negative charge (m-Cap). Monte Carlo simulations on a simplified model were performed to examine the charge distribution and the free energy change of VLP when mixing m+Cap and m-Cap within different molar ratio. The lowest free energy of mVLP was observed in the equimolecular mixture of m+Cap and m-Cap. Then the self-assembly of equimolecular mixture of m+Cap and m-Cap was examined experimentally. The introduction of electrostatic interaction in VLPs was confirmed effective for the improvement on self-assembly. It would facilitate the VLP-based drug delivery and development of biomaterials.