[Processing of proteins coded by the gag gene of retrovirus type D from HEp-2 cells]

The early products of translation of the gag gene of retrovirus type D from HEP-2 cells were studied. The radioimmunoprecipitation test in the pulse-chase modification showed the proteins, products of the gag gene translation of this retrovirus, to be formed from polyprotein with a molecular weight of 78000. The use of serine proteinases inhibitors revealed 2 additional polyproteins with molecular weights of 37000 and 33000. The authors suggest a probable scheme of Pr78 processing which includes an initial cleavage of this polyprotein in two parts (37000 and 33000, respectively) followed by formation of viral structural proteins from these parts upon further cleavage.