Cycloheximide-resistant gene of Epstein-Barr virus in freshly infected B lymphocytes.
The transcription of latent Epstein-Barr viral (EBV) genes, i.e., genes encoding EBNA-1, EBNA-2, EBNA-3A, -3B, -3C, and LMP, were detected in human tonsillar lymphocytes early after infection with EBV. Transcription of the BHLF-1 open reading frame was also detected at this initial phase of immortalization. Cycloheximide treatment inhibited the transcription of all the latent EBV genes but not BHLF-1. These results suggest that BHLF-1 might be considered an immediate-early gene of EBV. Cycloheximide treatment of EBV-infected cells reduced not only the degree of the transcription but also the size of the transcript for EBNA-2. We hypothesize that the immediate-early expression of BHLF-1 may be required for the enhanced transcription of the viral genes in lymphocytes early after infection with EBV.
Yamamoto
M
M
Department of Virology, Showa University Research Institute, St. Petersburg, Florida 33716.
Tabata
T
T
Smith
M
M
Tanaka
A
A
Nonoyama
M
M
D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000382:microbiology*; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003513:Cycloheximide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019309:Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens; D005814:Genes, Viral; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics*
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D019309:Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012367:RNA, Viral; D014764:Viral Proteins; D003513:Cycloheximide