AN ANTIVIRAL PROTEIN FROM BOUGAINVILLEA-SPECTABILIS ROOTS - PURIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION

An antiviral protein active against mechanical transmission of tomato spotted wilt virus was identified in the root tissues of Bougainvillea spectabilis Willd. Bougainvillea Antiviral Protein I (BAP I) was puri fied to apparent homogeneity from the roots of Bougainvillea by ammoni um sulphate precipitation, CM- and DEAE-Sepharose chromatography and r everse phase HPLC. BAP I is a highly basic protein (pI value > 8.6) wi th an Mr of 28 000. The N-terminal sequence of BAP I showed homology w ith other plant antiviral proteins. Preliminary tests suggest that pur ified BAP I is capable of interfering with in vitro protein synthesis. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserve.