Studies on Epstein-Barr virus-associated antigens

Detection of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA sequences using in situ hybridization

In situ hybridization was used to detect Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA sequences under conditions where the virus DNA is replicating spontaneously and where it is induced to do so following superinfection. The in situ reaction itself is influenced by several parameters, analogous to conventional nucleic acid hybridization, consideration of which should help to optimize the designing of in situ hybridization reactions in general. Both EBV complementary RNA (cRNA) and EBV DNA synthesized in vitro can efficiently detect the virus DNA sequences in situ. The findings presented here can therefore be utilized in both the study of EBV-cell interactions and, more generally, in studies using in situ hybridization as a general approach.

Persistence of Epstein-Barr viral nuclear antigen (EBNA) in cells entering the EB viral cycle

It was shown by double immunofluorescence studies that Epstein-Barr viral nuclear antigen (EBNA) was preserved in EBV-infected cells after they had entered the productive viral cycle, as signalled by the appearance of the early antigen (EA)complex. A nuclear component of the EA comples could be clearly distinguished from EBNA with regard to antigenic specificity.