A novel early antigen associated with Epstein-Barr virus productive cycle.
A murine monoclonal antibody (mAb) 92A recognized a 48-kilodalton Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) early antigen (EA). The mAb stained nuclei of EBV-activated P3HR-1, B95-8 and Akata cells in a distinctive, microgranular immunofluorescence pattern. The 92A antigen was sensitive to methanol-fixation. Expression of the 92A antigen in those cells paralleled diffuse (EA-D) and restricted (EA-R) components of EA, and viral DNA (vDNA) replication. Phosphonoacetic acid did not inhibit expression of the 92A antigen. The colocalization of 92A antigen, EA-D, and vDNA was observed in viral replication compartments of B95-8 cells. On the other hand, in P3HR-1 virus-superinfected Raji cells the percentages of 92A antigen-positive cells were at much lower levels than were EA-D and -R positive cells. Immunofluorescence staining with 92A mAb was blocked by pretreatment with EBV-positive human sera, but not with EBV-negative sera. We conclude that 92A mAb recognizes a novel EA which may function in vDNA replication.
Department of Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester 01655.
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CS
Freemer
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Bertoni
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S
Takagi
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Sairenji
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002451:Cell Compartmentation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D014779:Virus Replication
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral; C033305:Epstein-Barr virus early antigen