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Cluster Analysis of Viral Proteins. J. H. Tremaine, Research Scientist, Canada Department of Agriculture Research Station, Vancouver 8, British Columbia; Edward Argyle, Research Scientist, Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory, Penticton, British Columbia, Current address: Department of Computer Science, University of British Columbia. Phytopathology 60:654-659. Accepted for publication 3 November 1969. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-60-654.

The amino acid compositions of the protein coats of 54 plant viruses and strains were compared by a computer program for cluster analysis. Strains of a single virus clustered tightly, showing a close relationship. Rod-shaped and spherical viruses did not have distinctive compositions. The results of the cluster analysis were compared with serological and physical properties of the viruses, and the relevance of cluster analysis to virus classification was discussed.