[Glycoproteins of RNA-containing enveloped viruses]

Literature on the structure and biosynthesis of glycoproteins, main antigens of enveloped viruses, is summarized. Methods of selective solubilization, isolation and identification of glycoproteins are analyzed. Data on structure elucidation of their peptide and carbohydrate components as well as current views on the biosynthesis of glycoproteins, whose carbohydrate chains are linked to a peptide skeleton by the N-glycosidic bond, are presented. Biological role of the carbohydrate chains in such glycoproteins is discussed.