Lipoproteins of varicella-zoster virus

Human fibroblast cells infected with varicella-zoster virus (VZV) showed a slight increase in lipoprotein synthesis, with the production of two major viral lipoproteins, as detected by radioimmunoprecipitation (RIP). Three bands of M r 73000, 90000 and 97000 were identified as forms of the VZV gpI glycoprotein. All three incorporated both palmitic and myristic acid, and were shown by thin-layer chromatography to contain myristic, palmitic and stearic acids. A very strong band corresponding to 7000 M r, which may represent the product of VZV gene 49, was detected after RIP and in VZV-infected cells, and was shown to contain almost entirely myristic acid. Several minor bands were also detected. The possible functions of the lipoproteins are discussed.