Influenza a Hemagglutinin C-terminal Anchoring Peptide: Identification and Mass Spectrometric Study

MALDI-TOF MS and N-terminal amino acid sequencing allowed us to identify several fragments of the C-terminal peptide of Influenza A hemagglutinin (HA) containing transmembrane domains (TMD). These fragments were detected in the organic phase of chloroform-methanol extracts from bromelain-treated virus particles. Heterogeneous fatty acylation of the C-terminus was revealed. Tritium bombardment technique might open an opportunity for 3D structural investigation of the HA TMD in situ.