Topoisomerase I and II activities are required for Epstein-Barr virus replication.

The roles of topoisomerases I and II in Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) replication were investigated using Raji cells infected with EBV. The topoisomerase II inhibitor ellipticine inhibited the synthesis of EBV polypeptides at concentrations which did not affect total protein synthesis. Slot blot analysis of total cellular DNA showed that camptothecin and ellipticine inhibited replication of progeny EBV DNA in superinfected Raji cells at concentrations which did not inhibit synthesis of EBV early polypeptides prerequisite for EBV DNA replication. Analysis of the structure of EBV DNA termini demonstrated that both inhibitors affected the replicating EBV DNA. Gardella gel electrophoresis showed that both inhibitors affected the formation of the linear form of EBV DNA. However, restriction analysis of EBV DNA in superinfected Raji cells demonstrated that both inhibitors degraded neither endogenous nor exogenous EBV DNA. Cell viability was not affected by either inhibitor at the concentrations tested. These findings suggest that topoisomerase II is required for expression of the EBV genome and that both topoisomerases I and II are involved in replication of the EBV genome during the lytic phase of the life cycle. The effects of topoisomerase inhibitors on the circular form of EBV DNA during virus replication are discussed.