Signal cleavage sites of equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) glycoproteins D and B (gD and gB) and an endoproteolytic cleavage site of EHV-1 gB were determined by N-terminal amino acid sequencing and compared with known cleavage sites of homologues in other herpesviruses. Signal cleavage of EHV-1 gD occurred between Arg 35 and Ala 36 in a region of basic amino acids resembling the endoproteolytic cleavage sites of viral glycoproteins, nine amino acids downstream of the predicted site, while EHV-1 gB was cleaved as predicted between Ala s5 and Val s~. Endoproteolytic cleavage of EHV-1 gB occurred between Arg 54s and Ala 5aa, 28 amino acids downstream of the cleavage site predicted from conserved sequences of other herpesvirus gB homologues. One interpretation of these data is that EHV-1 gB is cleaved internally at both sites, a possibility which was supported by the apparent molecular masses of the unglycosylated gB subunits produced in the presence of tunicamycin. This double cleavage would release a stretch of amino acids which is not present in sequenced gB molecules of other herpesviruses. Experiments with glycosylation inhibitors indicated that cleavage of EHV-1 gB can occur in the absence of glycosylation. N-terminal sequencing also determined that a 42 kDa EHV-1 glycoprotein was a product of internal cleavage of the protein encoded by gene 71. Staggered endoproteolytic cleavage after adjacent arginine residues 506 and 507 separates the 42 kDa Cterminal subunit containing all the cysteine residues from the serine and threonine rich N-terminal region.

There have been conflicting reports regarding the gene assignment of the high-molecular-mass envelope glycoprotein gp2 (gp300) of equine herpesvirus 1. Here, we provide an unequivocal demonstration that gp2 is encoded by gene 71. gp2 that was purified with a defining monoclonal antibody was cleaved internally to yield a 42-kDa protein encoded by gene 71. Amino acid composition data and N-terminal sequence analysis of a tryptic peptide identified gp2 as the product of equine herpesvirus 1 gene 71 with the SWISS-PROT database. Analysis of gp2's monosaccharide composition and the 42-kDa subunit showed that the high level of O glycosylation occurs on the serine/threonine-rich region upstream of the cleavage site.

Two rock-wallabies were captured in the Victoria Range of the Grampians, the first specimens obtained from Victoria for scientific study. Their chromosomes identified them as Petrogale penicillata and, although the animals appeared to be smaller than their nearest studied conspecifics from Jenolan Caves, N.S.W., 800 km to the north-east, analysis of blood proteins, red blood cell epitopes and parasites indicated little genetic divergence. This lack of differentiation is unusual in a genus in which, further north along the Great Dividing Range, nine chromosomally distinct forms occur within 1500 km. One animal was heterozygous for presence and absence of a major C-band on the second largest chromosome; chromosomes without this band have not been found in other mainland P. penicillata. No electrophoretic variation was detected at 23 genetic loci, even though one allele was unique among P. penicillata so far studied. Although only one extant colony was found, other disused sites were located 30 km further north. Despite the apparent low numbers of animals, there is some evidence that additional colonies may be found.