Global analysis of modifications of the human BK virus structural proteins by LC-MS/MS

BK virus, a human polyomavirus, may cause nephritis and urological disorders in patients who have undergone renal transplantation. Little is known about the characteristics of the BK viral proteins. In the current study, BK viral proteins were characterized by immunoblotting and LC-MS/MS. The results revealed that BK virus is composed of three structural proteins, VP1, VP2, and VP3 and four cellular histones, H2A, H2B, H3, and H4. The major structural protein, VP1, can be divided into 16 subspecies by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Modifications of VP1, VP2, and VP3 were comprehensively identified by LC-MS/MS. The presence of acetylation, cysteinylation, carboxymethylation, carboxyethylation, formylation, methylation, methylthiolation, oxidation, dioxidation, and phosphorylation could be identified. This is the first report providing an analysis of the global modifications present on polyomavirus structural proteins. The identification of these modifications of VP1, VP2, and VP3 should facilitate an understanding of the physiology of BKV during its life cycle.