The Genome-linked Protein of Cowpea Mosaic Virus Is Bound to the 5' Terminus of Virus RNA by a Phosphodiester Linkage to Serine

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Abstract
The linkage between the genome-linked protein VPg and the RNAs of cowpea mosaic virus has been analysed. The bond between VPg and the RNA chains was found to be resistant to mild acidic hydrolysis but sensitive to alkaline treatment. Hydrolysis of isolated VPg-phosphate with 5.6 M-HCl at 110.degree. C yielded phosphoserine as the sole phosphorylated amino acid. The data obtained show that VPg is linked to the 5''-terminal uridine of the genomic RNA by the .beta.-OH group of the serine located at the amino-terminal end of the protein.