Phosphorylation of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA polymerase processivity factor EA-D by the EBV-encoded protein kinase and effects of the L-riboside benzimidazole 1263W94

A member of the family Of L-riboside benzimidazole compounds, 1263W94, was shown recently to inhibit replication of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) (V. L. Zacny, E. Gershburg, M. G. Davis, K. K. Biron, and J. S. Pagano, I Virol. 73:7271-7277, 1999). In the present report the effect of 1263W94 on the phosphorylation pattern of the EBV DNA polymerase processivity factor, EA-D, during viral reactivation in latently EBV-infected Akata cells is analyzed. This pattern specifically changes with progression of cytolytic infection. In the presence of 1263W94 the appearance of the hyperphosphorylated form of EA-D is mainly affected. Next, coexpression of the cloned EBV-encoded protein kinase (EBV PK), BGLF4, with EA-D demonstrated the ability of EBV PK to phosphorylate EA-D to its hyperphosphorylated form in transient assays. However, the phosphorylation of EA-D,was not directly inhibited by 1263W94 in these coexpression assays. The results indicate that the EBV PK appears to be responsible for the hyperphosphorylation of EA-D, imply that the phosphorylation status of EA-D is important for viral replication, and suggest that 1263W94 acts at a level other than direct inhibition of EA-D phosphorylation by EBV PK.