Cell membrane potential changes follow epstein‐barr virus binding

Upon binding to receptor‐bearing target cells, viruses cause cell membrane potential changes. Epstein‐Barr Virus causes a biphasic membrane potential change in receptor‐bearing B lymphocytes but not receptor‐negative T lymphocytes, as measured by flow cytometry of cyanine dye uptake. Membrane potential changes upon EBV binding to receptor‐bearing cells resemble electrical responses of other cells following ligand binding to transmembrane receptors.