Division of Tumor Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.
J Virol 65: 7073-7 (1991)
Abstract
The Epstein-Barr virus BRLF1 and BZLF1 genes appear to be the first
viral genes transcribed upon induction of the Epstein-Barr virus lytic
cycle. Both gene products activate transcription of other viral genes,
thereby initiating the lytic cascade. Among the viral antigens expressed
upon induction of the lytic cycle, the product of the BZLF1 gene is
unique in its ability to disrupt viral latency; thus, expression of this
gene is both necessary and sufficient for triggering the viral lytic
cascade. Moreover, transcription initiation from both the BRLF1 and
BZLF1 promoters can be activated by the BZLF1 gene product. The latter
results suggest a two-step model for induction of the viral lytic cycle
in which the initial signal leads to low-level transcription of the
BZLF1 gene, followed by upregulation of transcription by the BZLF1 gene
product. In this report we demonstrate that efficient transcription from
the BRLF1 and BZLF1 promoters after anti-immunoglobulin induction of
the lytic cycle, in a synchronous induction system, is dependent on de
novo protein synthesis. These data support the two-step induction model
in which synthesis of BZLF1 protein is required to activate expression
of the BRLF1 and BZLF1 genes.
Mesh Headings
Unique Identifier: 92046381
Chemical Identifiers (Names)