frank at omrf.uokhsc.edu writes:
> I am interested in looking at the site of integration of EBV in a cell line
> I am working with. Can someone send me some EBC genomic DNA to use as
> a probe? My understanding of EBV integration is that it is random. Is
> this correct?
>> Thanks in advance,
> Bart Frank, Ph.D.
> Arthritis and Immunology Program
> Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
>
Not necessarily. Most of the time, the genome will integrate
at the terminal repeats of the genome, but other points in the
genome have been described. In some instances, there have been
deletions of parts of the genome. Whether this occurred prior to
integration or after is not clear. Alternatively, EBV usually
remians episomal in a cell line, so it does not have to
integrate. One can usually tell by running a Southern of in
situ lyzed EBV+ cells and looking for a DNA band that can
migrate out of the well. In addition, integrated genomes
usually will not make infectious virus upon induction.
If you asking about integration sites in the eukaryotic genome,
then I would say that no one has really looked at enough sites
to conclude if there is any pattern.
In any event, the best proble to look the EBV genome is the Bam
W fragment. It is repeat 6 - 12 times in the genome, so the
signal is strong. It should be available through the ATCC.
Drop me a line if you'd like for me to send you some.
Mike Kurilla
