Is there a unique episome in EBV transformed B cells?
We have examined the frequency of episome formation in resting B cells 36 hr after infection with Epstein-Barr virus. We have detected an average of 0.65 episomal genomes per cell (SD 0.17). We have used this information to predict the distribution of circularization events in B cell clones derived from such infections. We have observed that in 32 out of 33 cases (with one unresolved) the B cell clone has arisen as a consequence of a single circularization event. This result is highly statistically different from the predicted distribution. We suggest that there is an exclusion or selection mechanism operating that favors either the formation or retention of a single circular genome per cell early in infection.
Klaman
L D
LD
Department of Pathology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02111.
Hurley
E A
EA
Thorley-Lawson
D A
DA
D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000382:microbiology*; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D002460:Cell Line; D002472:Cell Transformation, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D002999:Clone Cells; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics*; D010957:Plasmids / Q000235:genetics*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012641:Selection, Genetic
D004279:DNA, Viral