Open AccessA third viral nuclear protein in lymphoblasts immortalized by Epstein-Barr virus.
Author(s) -
Kevin Hennessy,
Susan M. Fennewald,
Elliott Kieff
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.82.17.5944
Subject(s) - lymphoblast , biology , epstein–barr virus , virus , virology , nuclear protein , antigen , gene , viral protein , herpesviridae , microbiology and biotechnology , cell culture , immunology , viral disease , genetics , transcription factor
Most sera from patients with rheumatoid arthritis as well as some sera from normal Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-infected people detect a 140-kDa protein on immunoblots of EBV-infected lymphoblasts. The 140-kDa protein is a nuclear protein characteristic of latent EBV infection. Sera reactive with this protein identify a distinctive globular nuclear antigen. Although the 140-kDa protein is encoded by EBV, it is not encoded by genes that encode the two previously described EBV nuclear antigens (EBNA) or the latent-infection membrane protein. The 140-kDa protein is therefore designated EBNA3. The EBV genes, including the gene encoding EBNA3, that are characteristically expressed in latent infection are likely to play a role in the maintenance of persistent latent viral infection or in the cell proliferation caused by virus infection.