Chromosome tethering mechanism of latently infected Epstein-Barr virus genome

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24590567
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Virology
• Research Institution: Aichi Cancer Center Research Institute
• Principal Investigator: KANDA Teru 愛知県がんセンター(研究所), 感染腫瘍学部, 室長 (50333472)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: EBウイルス / 染色体 / 潜伏感染 / 蛍光蛋白質 / マイクロRNA

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genome is stably maintained in EBV-infected cells. EBV genomes are maintained as circular double-stranded DNA molecules without being integrated into cellular chromosomes. Our study revealed a molecular mechanism by which viral protein EBNA1, a key molecule required for the chromosome tethering of viral genomes, localizes onto host chromosomes. Furthermore, out study demonstrated that EBV-encoded microRNAs strongly suppress the expression of a cellular gene NDRG1, which is specifically expressed in epithelial cells. These results should contribute to further understand the mechanisms of EBV latent infection and viral carcinogenesis.

Free Research Field

ウイルス学