The 30-bp deletion variant of Epstein-Barr virus-encoded latent membrane protein-1 prevails in acute infectious mononucleosis.
To assess the frequency of malignancy-associated 30-bp deletion variants of the latent membrane protein 1 (LMP-1) in benign conditions, a comparative sequence analysis was done using samples from 20 American children with acute infectious mononucleosis and 16 Swiss children with chronic tonsillar hyperplasia. The 30-bp deletion variant (LMP-1-del) was present in 66% of patients (12/20 with infectious mononucleosis and 12/16 with tonsillar hyperplasia). Two additional patients had a 3-bp deletion and an inframe insertion of 18 nucleotides, respectively. All but 1 isolate had numerous nonsilent point mutations. These data identify a hypervariable region within the C-terminus of LMP-1, in a domain required for maximal stimulation of NF-kappaB activity. These data demonstrate that LMP-1-del variants are frequent in acute infectious mononucleosis and tonsillar hyperplasia and identical to those observed in Epstein-Barr virus-associated AIDS-related lymphoma.
Berger
C
C
Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester 01655-0246, USA.
McQuain
C
C
Sullivan
J L
JL
Nadal
D
D
Quesenberry
P J
PJ
Knecht
H
H
D000208:Acute Disease; D002648:Child; D017353:Gene Deletion; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia; D007244:Infectious Mononucleosis / Q000821:virology*; D016483:Lymphoma, AIDS-Related / Q000209:etiology; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000473:pathology; D017354:Point Mutation; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins / Q000235:genetics*
C037662:EBV-associated membrane antigen, Epstein-Barr virus; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins