Characterization of Adenovirus Protein IX

Abstract

Protein IX from adenovirus type 2 was purified by two methods, one from groups of nine hexons obtained by disrupting purified virus by heating in the presence of deoxycholate, and the other by a previously published method. The purified protein was used to obtain a monospecific antiserum. Protein IX was found to possess both sub-group- and type-specific antigenic determinants which were apparently accessible within the groups of nine hexons. Approximately 15 molecules of IX were found per group of nine hexons and from considerations of symmetry it seemed possible that IX was located at the ‘corner to edge’ contacts between hexons in the icosahedron.