The truncated form of the Epstein-Barr virus LMP-1 is dispensable or complimentable by the full-length form in virus infection and replication

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latent membrane protein-1 (LMP-1) gene of the Akata virus strain was cloned, and its nucleotide sequence was determined. Compared with the B95-8 strain, the translation initiation codon for the truncated LMP-1 gene, which is expressed in the lytic cycle, was lost. Immunoblotting showed that Akata EBV produces no truncated LMP-1 protein in any state and that the full-length LMP-1 protein is expressed at a significant level during lyric infection. The results suggest that the truncated LMP-1 protein is dispensable for EBV infection and replication or that the full-length form can 'functionally' complement the truncated form if the truncated form has a function.