Rubella virus contains two envelope glycoproteins, E1 and E2. The amino acid sequence for both glycoproteins is known, as is the number of N-glycosylation sites. This study has demonstrated the presence of O-linked carbohydrates bound to E2 and determined structural characteristics of the N-linked oligosaccharide chains. O-linked sugars were found to be resistant to digestion with N-glycanase but sensitive to beta-elimination with alkaline borohydride. After treatment with neuraminidase, O-linked sugars bound to peanut agglutinin, suggesting the presence of the disaccharide galactose-N-acetylgalactosamine, masked by sialic acid. The N-linked oligosaccharides were large, probably four-branched, and showed a lectin binding pattern suggesting the complex type, with terminal Gal, GlcNAc and sialic acid. No Endo H-sensitive carbohydrates were detected.