Single‐Molecule Analysis of Genome Uncoating from Individual Human Rhinovirus Particles, and Modulation by Antiviral Drugs

Infection of humans by many viruses is typically initiated by the internalization of a single virion in each of a few susceptible cells. Thus, the outcome of the infection process may depend on stochastic single‐molecule events. A crucial process for viral infection, and thus a target for developing antiviral drugs, is the uncoating of the viral genome. Here a force spectroscopy procedure using an atomic force microscope is implemented to study uncoating for individual human rhinovirus particles. Application of an increasing mechanical force on a virion led to a high force‐induced structural transition that facilitated extrusion of the viral RNA molecule without loss of capsid integrity. Application of force to virions that h ad previously extruded the RNA, or to RNA‐free capsids, led to a lower force‐induced event associated with capsid disruption. The kinetic parameters are determined for each reaction. The high‐force event is a stochastic process governed by a moderate free energy barrier (≈20 kcal mol −1 ), which results in a heterogeneous population of structurally weakened virions in which different fractions of the RNA molecule are externalized. The effects of antiviral compounds or capsid mutation on the kinetics of this reaction reveal a correlation between the reaction rate and virus infectivity.