Characterization of an antigen whose cell surface expression is induced by infection with Epstein-Barr virus

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Abstract
Metabolically labeled monoclonal antibodies were used to measure the number of determinants per cell for an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) cell surface antigen (EBVCS) which is expressed on the surface of EBV-transformed [human B lymphocyte] cells. The antigenic determinants were present .apprx. 5 .times. 105 times/in vitro-transformed cell. Immunoprecipitation followed by electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels containing sodium dodecyl sulfate indicated that 4 independent monoclonal antibodies to EBVCS recognized a protein of 47,000 daltons. The identification of EBVCS isolated from EBV-transformed cells grown in tunicamycin demonstrated that the antigen when isolated from cells grown without this drug was glycosylated. Preclearing experiments with monoclonal antibodies to EBVCS or to HLA (class I products of the human major histocompatibility locus) and to .beta.2-microglobulin indicated that EBVCS is not a major histocompatibility type 1 antigen.