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Studies on the incorporation of three (14)C-labeled amino acids into preparations of partially purified Anaplasma marginale were conducted. Relatively high levels of uptake of radioactive isoleucine, glycine, and methionine were detected in both trichloroacetic acid-soluble and -insoluble fractions of these preparations, indicating that the parasite is capable of protein synthesis outside its erythrocytic environment. When erythrocytes (red blood cells) from infected calves were incubated with [(14)C]methionine and Anaplasma bodies were subsequently purified, it was found that some of the label detected was associated with the marginal bodies.

Deoxyribonucleic acid from isolated marginal bodies and calf erythrocytes infected with Anaplasma marginale is found to be double stranded and to contain 51 moles per cent guanine plus cytosine.