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Solubilization and characterization of Herpesvirus saimiri-induced membrane antigens

Journal of Virology
|March 1, 1978
PubMed

Insights

Papain digestion released Herpesvirus saimiri (HVS)-induced membrane antigen (MA) from infected cells. Soluble HVS-MA was detected, showing heterogeneous sizes, with a major peak between 20,000 and 50,000 molecular weight.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Immunology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Herpesvirus saimiri (HVS) is a primate rhadinovirus.
  • HVS infection in owl monkeys can lead to lymphoproliferative disease.
  • Understanding HVS-induced antigens is crucial for studying viral pathogenesis and immune responses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the Herpesvirus saimiri (HVS)-induced membrane antigen (MA).
  • To determine if HVS-MA can be released in a soluble, antigenically active form.
  • To investigate the physical properties, such as size, of the released HVS-MA.

Main Methods:

  • Limited papain digestion of HVS-infected owl monkey cells.
  • Membrane immunofluorescence assays to detect MA.
  • Antibody-dependent lymphocyte cytotoxicity (ADLC) assays to assess MA activity.
  • Ultracentrifugation to determine sedimentability of inhibitory activity.
  • Gel filtration chromatography to estimate molecular weight.

Main Results:

  • Papain digestion effectively removed HVS-MA from the cell surface.
  • Soluble, antigenically active HVS-MA was detected in papain extracts, inhibiting ADLC and reducing 125I-Staphylococcus protein A binding.
  • Approximately 38% of the inhibitory activity was sedimentable at 100,000 x g, indicating heterogeneity in size.
  • Gel filtration identified a major peak of HVS-MA with a molecular weight between 20,000 and 50,000.

Conclusions:

  • HVS-induced membrane antigen can be released from infected cells as a soluble, biologically active molecule.
  • The released HVS-MA is heterogeneous in size, with a predominant component in the 20-50 kDa range.
  • These findings contribute to the characterization of HVS antigens and their potential role in immune interactions.

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