This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. The coronavirus family of viruses primarily infects the gastrointestinal and upper respiratory areas in animals. Human Coronavirus HCoV-229E causes colds in humans, and very rarely in immunodeficient people may cause pneumonia. The most publicized outbreak of these viruses was the recent series of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS, caused by a mutated strain of coronavirus. Coronaviruses are enveloped viruses with a single 30 kb strand of RNA. They are very sensitive to inactivation with detergents such as 1% NP40 or 1% SDS or a lab disinfectant such as Amphyll, or to bleach. They are also very rapidly (less than 2 minutes) completely killed by 1% glutaraldehyde. We are interested in determining the structure of various parts of coronaviruses, primarily the glycoprotein spikes and the interior nucleocapsid. It is currently believed that the glycoprotein spikes of the virus are critical in the docking and entry of the virus into a host cell. Analysis of the structure of these spikes will provide insight into the docking and fusing of the virus, and the ability of spikes of different strains to bind to and recognize their respective hosts. The aims of the project are : Determine the spike protein distribution on the surface Determine the types of conformations of the spike Determine the molecular structure of the isolated spike