title: A rapid DNA hybridization assay for the evaluation of antiviral compounds against Epstein-Barr virus.
abstract: There is a need for additional therapies for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infections, but the routine screening of large numbers of potential inhibitors has been difficult due to the laborious nature of traditional assays. A new rapid assay was developed to evaluate compounds for antiviral activity against this virus that is both rapid and robust. Test compounds are added to cultures of Akata cells in 96-well plates that have been induced to undergo a lytic infection. Viral DNA produced during the infection is transferred to a membrane and quantified using a non-radioactive DNA hybridization assay. This assay was validated using a set of compounds with known activity against EBV and results compared favorably to an established real-time PCR assay. Subsequent experience with this assay has confirmed that it offers improved efficiency and robustness compared to other assays used routinely to evaluate candidate compounds for antiviral activity against EBV.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA. mprichard@peds.uab.edu
authors.forename: Mark N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Prichard
authors.forename: Shannon L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Daily
authors.forename: Geraldine M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Jefferson
authors.forename: Amie L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Perry
authors.forename: Earl R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Kern
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests / Q000379:methods*; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization / Q000379:methods*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral