Characterization of the Human Cytomegalovirus Envelope Glycoproteins

Abstract

Virions of human cytomegalovirus were shown to contain 2 discrete membranes. An outer, loose fitting, membrane was sensitive to osmotic shock and could be partially removed by diluting buffered preparations of virions with water. Purified virions were shown, by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of virion membranes labeled by carbohydrate-specific procedures, to contain 5 glycoproteins with MW of 52, 67, 95, 130 and 250 .times. 103. Digestion of virions with endoglycosidases revealed that there were structural differences between the carbohydrate portions of the glycoproteins. All 5 glycoproteins were recognized by antibodies present in pools of human convalescent sera.