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Sequence variation of latent membrane protein-1 of Epstein-Barr virus strains associated with hairy leukoplakia
J M Palefsky1, J Berline, M E Penaranda
1Department of Stomatology, University of California, San Francisco, 94143-0100, USA.
Abstract:
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latent membrane protein (LMP)-1 is expressed in hairy leukoplakia (HL), but data on LMP-1 sequence variation of HL isolates are limited. Variation in the LMP-1 repeat region and presence of a 30-nt deletion were studied using DNA scrapings from 28 HL lesions. cDNAs from 3 different HL isolates were sequenced, 2 from lymphocyte cell lines (LCLs) generated using HL biopsy material. The deletion was found in 16 (57%) of 28 HL scraping, and multiple repeat region variants were seen in 13 scrapings (46%). HL LMP sequence were similar to those described in nasopharyngeal cancer and lymphoma tissues, including two motifs of four amino acid changes relative to B95-8 upstream and downstream of the repeat region, respectively. Generation of LCLs using HL biopsy material confirmed the ability of HL EBV strains to infect and transform lymphocytes.
Insights
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latent membrane protein (LMP)-1 variations, including a 30-nt deletion, are common in hairy leukoplakia (HL). These HL EBV strains can infect and transform lymphocytes.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Oral Pathology
Background:
- Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latent membrane protein (LMP)-1 is expressed in hairy leukoplakia (HL).
- Limited data exists on LMP-1 sequence variation in HL isolates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate sequence variations in the LMP-1 repeat region and the presence of a 30-nt deletion in EBV from HL lesions.
- To compare HL LMP-1 sequences with those from other EBV-associated malignancies.
- To confirm the infectivity and transforming potential of HL EBV strains.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of DNA scrapings from 28 HL lesions for LMP-1 variation and a 30-nt deletion.
- Sequencing of cDNAs from 3 HL isolates, including 2 derived from lymphocyte cell lines (LCLs) generated from HL biopsy material.
Main Results:
- A 30-nt deletion was detected in 57% of HL samples.
- Multiple repeat region variants were observed in 46% of HL samples.
- HL LMP-1 sequences showed similarities to those in nasopharyngeal cancer and lymphoma, with specific amino acid changes relative to the B95-8 strain.
- HL EBV strains demonstrated the ability to infect and transform lymphocytes in vitro.
Conclusions:
- Sequence variations, including a common 30-nt deletion and repeat region alterations, are characteristic of EBV LMP-1 in hairy leukoplakia.
- HL EBV strains share sequence features with EBV found in other cancers and possess the capacity to infect and transform B lymphocytes.