Chromatographic purification and characterization of EBV DNase from chemically induced lymphoid cells

Epstein-Barr virus-associated deoxyribonuclease (EBV-DNase) was purified to homogeneity, as determined by silver staining, sequential column chromatography, and FPLC from Raji and P3HR-1 cells treated with 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate and sodium butyrate. This viral protein was immunogenic and elicited high neutralization titer sera in rabbits. By silver staining of SDS-PAGE, Western immunoblot, and radioimmunoprecipitation using NPC patient sera and both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies, the EBV DNase was identified as a 58K protein. The potential presence of two EBV DNases was also discussed.