Sequence analysis of the 17,166 base-pair EcoRI fragment C of B95-8 Epstein-Barr virus

In order to provide a framework for understanding the molecular biology of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), we are determining the DNA sequence of the virus and studying the organization of genes on the viral genome. In this paper we report the DNA sequence of the EcoRI C fragment of the B95-8 strain of EBV. The large (approximately 13.6 kb) deletion in this strain has been located by comparison with the DNA sequence of EBV isolated from Raji cells. The sequence has been analysed for possible protein coding regions and transcriptional control sites. At least eight large open reading frames are found, some of them associated with canonical promoter and polyadenylation sequences. The sequences of some of the encoded proteins suggest that they are membrane proteins. It is known that antibodies to major membrane glycoproteins of EBV can neutralize infection in tissue culture. A possible relationship between some of the encoded proteins and the major membrane glycoproteins of the virus is discussed.