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J. Virol., Jan 1998, 158-163, Vol 72, No. 1
X Wang and LM Hutt-Fletcher
The Epstein-Barr virus gH-gL complex includes a third glycoprotein, gp42,
which is the product of the BZLF2 open reading frame (ORF). gp42 has been
implicated as critical to infection of the B lymphocyte by virtue of its
interaction with HLA class II on the B-cell surface. A neutralizing
antibody that reacts with gp42 inhibits virus-cell fusion and blocks
binding of gp42 to HLA class II; antibody to HLA class II can inhibit
infection, and B cells that lack HLA class II can only be infected if HLA
class II expression is restored. To confirm whether gp42 is an essential
component of the virion, we derived a recombinant virus with a selectable
marker inserted into the BZLF2 ORF to interrupt expression of the protein.
A complex of gH and gL was expressed by the recombinant virus in the
absence of gp42. Recombinant virus egressed from the cell normally and
could bind to receptor-positive cells. It had, however, lost the ability to
infect or transform B lymphocytes. Treatment with polyethylene glycol
restored the infectivity of recombinant virus, confirming that gp42 is
essential for penetration of the B-cell membrane.
Copyright © 1998, American Society for Microbiology
Epstein-Barr virus lacking glycoprotein gp42 can bind to B cells but is not able to infect
School of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 64110, USA.
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