The E2 signal sequence of rubella virus remains part of the capsid protein and confers membrane association in vitro

Abstract

The capsid (C) protein of rubella virus is translated from a 24S subgenomic mRNA as the first part of a polyprotein containing all three structural proteins of the virus. It is separated from the following protein (E2) by signal peptidase, which cleaves after the E2 signal sequence. We raised an antipeptide antiserum directed against the signal sequence and used the antiserum to show that this sequence is still a part of the C protein in the mature virion. Furthermore, we also showed that, when the C protein is synthesized by in vitro transcription and translation, the resultant protein is membrane associated. This association is not seen with a variant C protein which lacks the signal sequence, and a normally soluble protein (dihydrofolate reductase) becomes membrane associated when the signal sequence is placed at its carboxy terminus.