Antibody to a synthetic peptide detects a conserved region of retrovirus transmembrane proteins.

N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis of the transmembrane protein of baboon endogenous virus revealed an internal 13 residue identity with the transmembrane homolog of murine leukemia virus. A tridecapeptide Glu-Val-Val-Leu-Gln-Asn-Arg-Arg-Gly-Leu-Asp-Leu-Leu corresponding to this region was chemically synthesized and antibody to the peptide was raised in rabbits. The rabbit antisera recognized the protein in Western blots. The specificity of the antisera was tested against a panel of retroviruses. Transmembrane proteins of type C retroviruses as well as type D were identified.