An Epstein--Barr virus early protein induces cell fusion.
Superinfection of Raji cells with Epstein--Barr virus (EBV) leads to syncytium formation. Studies using metabolic inhibitors and amino acid analogues suggest that the fusion-inducing factor belongs to the early group of virus-specified proteins. Induction of early EBV protein synthesis in Raji cells by using various chemicals also leads to syncytium formation, indicating that the fusion process is not caused by a virion membrane protein introduced into the cells upon infection. The relevance of these findings to the association of EBV with carcinoma of the nasopharynx is discussed.
D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D001402:B-Lymphocytes; D002459:Cell Fusion; D002460:Cell Line; D002472:Cell Transformation, Viral; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000502:physiology*
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D014764:Viral Proteins