Location of antigens associated with bovine leukemia virus.

Antigens associated with bovine leukemia virus (BLV) infection (gp 44/55 and p23) were identified by neutralization and immunofluorescent antibody (FA) tests. Only serums containing antibody to gp 45/55 neutralized the virus; antibody to p23 did not. These results indicate that gp 44/55 may be located in the virus envelope. In indirect FA tests, both a cytoplasmic fluorescence and a membrane fluorscence were detected in BLV-infected cells. The serum used in the FA test was then absorbed with either p23 or gp 45/55. The results of these absorption tests indicate that the membrane fluorescence maybe associated with gp 45/55 and the cytoplasmic fluorescence may be associated with p23.