Sequence and Antigenic Activity of the Region 93 to 113 of the Coat Protein of Strain U2 of Tobacco Mosaic Virus

Abstract

The amino acid sequence of the coat protein of the U2 strain of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) was reexamined and completed. Four incorrect residue allocations in the published U2 sequence were identified. These were located in the region corresponding to residues 96-105. The identity of residues 106-112 was also determined. This latter region is of particular interest in antigenic studies, since the homologous region 108-112 in TMV (common strain) corresponds to an antigenic determinant of the depolymerized coat protein. Tryptic peptide 6 of strain U2 (residues 93-113) also contains an antigenic determinant, as shown by its ability to inhibit the reaction between U2 protein and specific antibodies.