Trans-membrane translocation of a myristylated protein amino terminus

Hepatitis B virus surface protein variants are described, capable of translocating to the lumenal side of the endoplasmic reticulum membrane their myristylated N-termini, as revealed by the contestual modification of N-terminal, N-linked glycosylation sites. To our knowledge, this is the first example of transmembrane translocation of a preformed protein acyl adduct. The possible significance of this event for hepatitis B virus biology is discussed.