Characterization of the major duck hepatitis B virus core particle protein.
The amino acid composition of the major duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) core particle proteins was determined. The results of this analysis indicated that cores are composed of a single major protein that initiates translation from the second available AUG in the DHBV core gene. Proteins isolated from core particles purified from the cytoplasm of DHBV-infected duck hepatocytes exhibited heterogeneity in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, independent of the stage of viral DNA maturation. Incubation of native cores with alkaline phosphatase removed this heterogeneity, indicating that phosphorylation of external amino acids was responsible. Core protein isolated from mature DHBV purified from serum of infected animals did not display heterogeneity, suggesting a possible role for dephosphorylation in virus maturation.
Pugh
J
J
Fox Chase Cancer Center, Institute for Cancer Research, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19111.
Zweidler
A
A
Summers
J
J
D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000494:pharmacology; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D002499:Centrifugation, Density Gradient; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D004372:Ducks / Q000382:microbiology; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006518:Hepatitis Viruses / Q000032:analysis* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000032:analysis
D000596:Amino Acids; D004279:DNA, Viral; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D014764:Viral Proteins; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase