Antibodies against synthetic peptides react with the second Epstein-Barr virus-associated nuclear antigen.

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Abstract
Five peptides were synthesized on the basis of amino acid sequences predicted from the transformation‐associated BamHI WYH region of the genome of the Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV). Antisera to two peptides deduced from a 1.6‐kb open reading frame in the BamHI H fragment identified an 87 000‐dalton nuclear polypeptide that was present in EBV‐carrying cell lines that expressed the second EBV‐determined nuclear antigen (EBNA‐2). This polypeptide was not detected in cell lines that carried EBV variants with a deleted BamHI WYH region or in EBV‐negative cell lines. Three peptides deduced from the 1.6‐kb open reading frame reacted with human EBNA‐positive sera, but not with EBNA‐negative sera. Following affinity purification with the peptides, two of the corresponding human antibodies also reacted with the 87 000‐dalton polypeptide.