Electrostatic origin of the genome packing in viruses

Many ssRNA/ssDNA viruses bind their genome by highly basic semiflexible pepticle arms of capsid proteins. Here, we show that nonspecific electrostatic interactions control both the length of the genome and genome conformations. Analysis of available experimental data shows that the genome length is linear in the net charge on the capsid pepticle arms, irrespective of the actual amino acid sequence, with a proportionality coefficient of 1.61 +/- 0.03. This ratio is conserved across all ssRNA/ssDNA viruses with highly basic pepticle arms, and is different from the one-to-one charge balance expected of specific binding. Genomic nucleoticles are predicted to occupy a radially symmetric spherical shell detached from the viral capsid, in agreement with experimental data.