Abstract--An antiviral protein active against mechanical transmission of tomato spotted wilt virus was
identified in the root tissues of Bougainvillea spectabilis Willd. Bougainvillea Antiviral Protein I (BAP I) was
purified to apparent homogeneity from the roots of Bougainvillea by ammonium sulphate precipitation, CMand
DEAE-Sepharose chromatography and reverse phase HPLC. BAP I is a highly basic protein (pI
value > 8.6) with an Mr of 28 000. The N-terminal sequence of BAP I showed homology with other plant
antiviral proteins. Preliminary tests suggest that purified BAP I is capable of interfering with in vitro protein
synthesis. @ 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved