The glycoprotein isolated from vesicular stomatitis virus is mitogenic for mouse B lymphocytes.

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Abstract
The glycoprotein (G protein) of VSV [vesicular stomatitis virus] was purified from the intact virion by Triton X-100 extraction. The isolated G protein is a T cell-independent, B lymphocyte mitogen and polyclonal activator. Neither G protein nor the intact virion are stimulatory for murine T lymphocytes. The greater the density of G protein in lipid vesicles or the degree of aggregation of isolated G protein, the more highly stimulatory it is for murine splenocytes. As G protein is spread out in artificial vesicles, it becomes less mitogenic. Other viral components may also be stimulatory since the Triton-insoluble pellet and VSV from which G protein has been enzymatically removed retain mitogenic activity. This is the 1st time a purified viral component has been demonstrated to be a lymphocyte mitogen.