Structural polypeptides of molluscum contagiosum virus: their variability in various isolates and location within the virion.

The structural polypeptides of molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV) obtained from the skin lesions of patients were examined by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. At least 40 polypedtides from purified virions were detected on SDS-polyacrylamide gel by a highly sensitive silver stain. Two of the structural polypeptides of the nine isolates were different in their migration rate in SDS-polyacrylamide gel. Following controlled degradation virions the two variable polypeptides were shown to be located in the surface or subsurface layers.