So-Called C Marker Chromosome and Epstein-Barr Virus

Summary

Detailed cytogenetic studies were performed on cell lines AV₁ and NC₃₇, which were purposely infected with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and on lines P₃-HR₁K and NHDL₈, which originally contained the EBV although one had a negligible amount. Particular emphasis was placed on the presence of gaps and secondary constrictions. In each cell line the incidence of gaps and secondary constrictions increased as the total number of chromosomal aberrations increased. Only 1–2% of the cells in lines with 20–90% EBV-infected cells had the so-called C marker chromosome and there was no evidence that this abnormality was related to EBV. We believe the C marker chromosome aberration is not a true secondary constriction but a random gap or break that could have been caused by a nonspecific viral infection.