[Studies on the synthesis of Epstein-Barr virus-related antigens induced by superinfection].
Synthesis of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-related antigens in Raji cells superinfected with P3HR-1 strain EBV was investigated by immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation. Purification of the infecting EBV gave a favorable condition for efficient induction of the virus-related antigens and facilitated immunochemical characterization of them. Monoclonal antibodies against the EBV-related antigens were produced and applied for a detailed analysis of the antigens. EBV-related antigen synthesis was shown to be markedly dependent on the virus dose inoculated; early antigens (EA) were readily synthesized at a low multiplicity of infection (MOI), whereas synthesis of the 2 late antigens, virus capsid antigen (VCA) and membrane antigen (MA) was induced only at a high MOI. VCA was induced following three-hit kinetics, suggesting that 3 times the amount of the infecting virus is required for the induction of the antigen. Synthesis of EBV-related polypeptides which constitute these antigens showed similar dependency on the virus dose. Early polypeptides were induced readily at a low MOI, whereas late polypeptides were synthesized only at a high MOI. Furthermore, induction of late polypeptides at a high MOI was accompanied by selective enhancement of the synthesis of a particular early polypeptide with molecular weight of 135K. The implications of these findings are discussed in relation to a possible regulatory function of this 135K early polypeptide in the productive cycle of EBV.
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D000957:Antigens, Viral, Tumor / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D002460:Cell Line; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D014779:Virus Replication
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000957:Antigens, Viral, Tumor; D014764:Viral Proteins