The R27080 glycoprotein is abundantly secreted from human cytomegalovirus-infected fibroblasts

A 45 kDa glycoprotein was purified from the culture media of human cytomega lovirus (HCMV)-infected fibroblasts. N-terminal sequencing revealed that th e protein, R27080, is the translation product of the R27080 open reading fr ame of HCMV. R27080 is highly glycosylated and contains no cysteine or meth ionine residues. Proteolytic cleavage of R27080 by a furin-like enzyme was analysed in transfected COS-7 cells. R27080 is the first identified viral p rotein secreted from HCMV-infected cells.