Structure and synthesis of a lipid-containing bacteriophage: XI. Studies on the structural glycoprotein of the virus particle

Abstract

The glycoprotein nature of one protein and the proteolipid characteristics of some proteins of the lipid-containing bacteriophage PM2 were studied. [³H]Glucosamine-derived label can be incorporated into bacteriophage structural protein IV (MW 4650). The glycoprotein nature of this protein was confirmed (a) by its ability to be stained by the periodic acid-Schiff reagent and (b) by the presence of labeled amino sugars in thin-layer chromatograms of [³H]glucosamine-labeled viral hydrolyzates. The predominant amino sugar is either glucosamine or mannosamine; attempts to distinguish between these two were unsuccessful. No neuraminic acid, fucose, or hexoses were detected in this glycoprotein. Both proteins III and IV have the solubility properties of proteolipids.