Abstract
The open reading frame BPLF1 of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) shows homology to the Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1) protein VP16. This protein is a structural tegument component playing a pivotal role for HSV replication as trans-activator of viral immediate-early genes. An EBV gene with a comparable function has not been described so far. However, computer analysis indicated that BPLF1 may be a tegument protein homologous to VP16. This is the first report on the characterisation of the BPLF1 gene, its transcription, and expression of its gene product in vitro and in vivo. Using RT-PCR and Northern blot assays we demonstrated that the BPLF1 gene belongs to the class of late lytic cycle genes of EBV. Besides a full length transcript of 9.5 kb also a polyadenylated transcript of approximately 3 kb is synthesised. However, no consensus splice sites could be identified. Northern blot experiments using partially overlapping probes and sequencing of a BPLF1-specific cDNA revealed 1,550 nucleotides of the BPLF1 transcript, collinear in sequence with the viral genome from position 64547 to 66097. A recombinant Western blot assay detected BPLF1-specific antibodies in seropositive individuals, in particular in cases with elevated viral replication like infectious mononucleosis, chronic active infection, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. This demonstrated expression of the BPLF1 protein in vivo. Thus, experimental data and computer analysis strongly support the hypothesis of BPLF1 being a tegument protein of the EBV homologous to VP16 of HSV1 and ORF22 of Varicella zoster virus.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Rickinson A.B. and Kieff E., in Fields B.N., Knipe D.M., and Howley, P.M. (eds), Fields Virology. Lippincot-Raven Publishers, Philadelphia, 1996, pp. 2397–2446.
Babcock G.J., Decker L.L., Volk M., and Thorley-Lawson, D.A., Immunity 9, 395–404, 1998.
Lemon S.M., Hutt L.M., Shaw J.E., Li J.L., and Pagano J.S., Nature 268, 268–270, 1977.
Miller G., Grogan E., Rowe D., Rooney C., Heston L., Eastman R., Andiman W., Niederman J., Lenoir G., Henle W., Sullivan J., Schooley R., Vossen J., Strauss S., and Issekutz T., J Infect Dis 156, 26–35, 1987.
Zalani S., Holley-Guthrie E., and Kenney S., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 93, 9194–9199, 1996.
Campbell M.E., Palfreyman J.W., and Preston C.M., JMol Biol 180, 1–19, 1984.
O'Hare P., Goding C.R., and Haigh A., EMBO J 7, 4231–4238, 1988.
Simmen K.A., Newell A., Robinson M., Mills J.S., Canning G., Handa R., Parkes K., Borkakoti N., and Jupp R., J Virol 71, 3886–3894, 1997.
O'Reilly D., Hanscombe O., and O'Hare P., EMBO J 16, 2420–2430, 1997.
Lai J.S. and Herr W., Mol Cell Biol 17, 3937–3946, 1997.
Roizman B. and Sears A.E., in Fields B.N,, Knipe D.M, and Howley P.M. (eds), Fields Virology. Lippincot-Raven Publishers, Philadelphia, 1996, pp 2231–2295.
Ben Bassat H., Polliack A., Mitrani-Rosenbaum S., Reichert F., Froimovici M., and Goldblum N., Cancer 40, 1481–1491, 1977.
Deev S.M., Combriato G., Klobeck H.G., and Zachau H.G., Nucleic Acids Res 15, 1–14, 1987.
Taylor N., Countryman J., Rooney C., Katz D., and Miller G., J Virol 63, 1721–1728, 1989.
Bauer G., Hofler P., and zur Hausen H., Virology 121, 184–194, 1982.
Gluzman Y., Cell 23, 175–182, 1981.
Polack A., Hartl G., Zimber U., Freese U.-K., Laux G., Takaki K., Hohn B., Gissmann L., and Bornkamm G.W., Gene 27, 279–288, 1984.
Molecular Cloning. A laboratory Manual 2nd. ed. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, 1989.
Baer R., Bankier AT., Biggin M.D., Deininger P.L., Farrell P.J., Gibson T.J., Hatfull G., Hudson G.S., Satchwell G.C., Seguin C., Tuffnell P.S., and Barrell B.G., Nature 310, 207–211, 1984.
Serio T.R., Cahill N., Prout M.E., and Miller G., J Virol 72, 8338–8343, 1998.
Jameson B.A. and Wolf H., Comput Appl Biosci 4, 181–186, 1988.
Greaves R.F. and O'Hare P., J Virol 64, 2716–2724, 1990.
Grapes M. and O'Hare P., J Virol 74, 10112–10121, 2000.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Schmaus, S., Wolf, H. & Schwarzmann, F. The Reading Frame BPLF1 of Epstein-Barr Virus: A Homologue of Herpes Simplex Virus Protein VP16. Virus Genes 29, 267–277 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:VIRU.0000036387.39937.9b
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:VIRU.0000036387.39937.9b