University of California

Donald E Ganem

Michael S McGrath

Charles S Craik

Brian Herndier

Valerie L Ng

Aycedillae Unal

Weidong Zhong

A human lymphoma cell line containing a human herpesvirus type 8 (HHV-8) capable of in vitro growth and which produces HHV-8 virus particles upon induction of lytic viral growth is provided. Virus produced by the cell line of the invention is useful for the production of antibodies to an HHV-8 virus particle, viral protein, or viral peptide. Methods of screening a biological sample for the presence of HHV-8 virus particles, viral protein, or viral peptide from a human suspected of being infected with HHV-8 are provided as are methods of screening a biological sample of the human for antibodies to HHV-8.

Human herpesvirus type 8 isolated from human lymphoma cell line

Kaposi's Sarcoma Herpesvirus (KSHV) protease and assembly protein sequences are disclosed. Also disclosed are polynucleotides that encode the protease and assembly protein. The invention includes screening and detection methods, as well as KSHV protease inhibitory compositions.

Kaposi's Syndrome Herpesvirus protease and assembly protein compositions

Isolated human herpesvirus type 8 nucleic acid sequences expressed in latently infected human cells including primary Kaposi's sarcoma cells, primary pulmonary tumor cells, and a body cavity based lymphoma cell line are disclosed. Methods of detecting HHV-8 infection and methods of inhibiting expression of the nucleic acid sequences in vivo are also disclosed.

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San Francisco, CA, United States of America

Donald E Ganem