Measuring the dielectric properties of herpes simplex virus type 1 virions with dielectrophoresis

An investigation has been performed into the biophysical properties of the enveloped mammalian virus, herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). The dielectrophoretic behaviour of the virus particles was measured as a function of applied frequency (over the range 100 kHz-20 MHz) and conductivity of the suspending medium (over the range 1-100 mS m^-1). The dielectric properties of the virus were determined from the dielectrophoretic data using the smeared-out shell model. The data suggest that the intact particle has a surface conductance of 0.3 nS, an internal and membrane permittivity of 75ε_o and 7.5ε_o, respectively, an internal conductivity of approximately 0.1 S m^-1 and a zeta potential of 70 mV. The dielectric properties were measured for intact, fresh virus particles and also for particles following exposure to various modifying agents, such as treatment with enzymes, ionophores and ageing. It is shown that the observed changes in the dielectrophoretic spectrum, and the variations in the dielectric properties of the virus concur with the expected physiological effects of these agents.