Multiplicity-dependent biological and biochemical properties of epstein-barr virus (EBV) rescued from non-producer lines after superinfection with P3HR-1 EBV

Abstract

Superinfection of lymphoblastoid cells of EBV non‐producer lines with non‐transforming P3HR‐l EBV leads to the rescue of transforming virus. At least part of the recovered molecules represent recombinant DNA between superinfecting P3HR‐l EBV and resident viral genomes (Fresen et al., 1979, 1980). With high titer stocks of superinfecting P3HR‐l EBV, viral particles with early antigen (EA)‐inducing properties can be rescued, indicating that under these conditions of infection input viral genomes may become replicated. Sequential blot analysis with ³²P‐P3HR‐l EBV DNA of intracellular viral DNA synthesized following infection reveals a multiplicity‐dependent pattern. High particle inputs lead to preferential synthesis of certain fragments, independent of infection of either EBV genome‐free or EBV genome carrier cells. This accumulation of specific viral sequences indicates defective replication of P3HR‐l EBV DNA.