Biochemical properties of avian type-C virus gag gene-coded proteins: comparison with structural proteins coded for at analogous positions within the mammalian type-C viral genome

Amino acid sequence of p15 from avian myeloblastosis virus complex

The complete amino acid sequence of the p15 gag protein from avian myeloblastosis virus (AMV) complex has been determined by sequential Edman degradation of the intact molecule and of peptide fragments generated by limited tryptic cleavage, cleavage with staphylococcal protease, and cyanogen bromide cleavage. AMV p15 is a single-chain protein containing 124 amino acids. The charged amino acids tend to be clustered in the primary structure. p15 contains a single cysteine at position 113 which may be essential for the p15 associated proteolytic activity. However, p15 shows no appreciable sequence homology with papain or other classical thiol proteases.

Malignancies of metastatic murine lymphosarcoma cell lines and clones correlate with decreased cell surface display of RNA tumor virus envelope glycoprotein gp70

Variant sublines of the murine lymphosarcoma RAW117 have been derived by sequential cycles of intravenous inoculation of cells and harvesting of solid liver tumors in syngeneic BALB/c mice [Brunson K. W. & Nicolson, G. L. (1978) J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 61, 1499-1503] and also by sequential removal of lectin-reactive cells via repeated adsorption on immobilized-lectins [Reading, C. L. Belloni, P. N. & Nicolson, G. L. (1980) J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 64, 1241-1249]. These cell sublines and their clones were analyzed for abilities to form gross liver tumor metastases after injection intravenously or subcutaneously into syngeneic mice, and this response was related to certain cell surface properties including quantities of viral antigens and lectin-binding sites, exposure of specific cell surface proteins, and quantities of cell surface glycoproteins visualized in gels with 125I-labeled lectins or antibodies. Consistent differences were obtained between RAW117 sublines of low and high malignancy with respect to the amounts or exposures of cell surface glycoprotein components of Mr approximately 70,000 or 69,000 and 71,000, depending on the gel system. Competition radioimmunoassays for RNA tumor virus antigens in the RAW117 lines and clones indicated the presence of Moloney murine leukemic virus antigens gp70, p30, and p12. Enhanced malignancy and metastasis to liver was accompanied by decreases in the cellular contents of viral antigens and loss of gp70 cell surface exposure. Analysis of several clones obtained from sublines selected in vivo and in vitro for high or low malignancy confirmed the inverse relationship between metastasis and expression of gp70 in this system.