Open AccessCellular Target Genes of Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigen 2
Author(s) -
Sabine Maier,
Gabriele Staffler,
Andrea Hartmann,
Julia Höck,
Karen Henning,
Kristina Grabušić,
Reinhard Mailhammer,
Reinhard Hoffmann,
Matthias Wilmanns,
Roland Lang,
Jörg Mages,
Bettina Kempkes
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of virology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.617
H-Index - 292
eISSN - 1070-6321
pISSN - 0022-538X
DOI - 10.1128/jvi.00665-06
Subject(s) - biology , virology , gene , epstein–barr virus , antigen , virus , gammaherpesvirinae , genetics , microbiology and biotechnology , herpesviridae , viral disease
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) nuclear antigen 2 (EBNA-2) is a key determinant in the EBV-driven B-cell growth transformation process. By activating an array of viral and cellular target genes, EBNA-2 initiates a cascade of events which ultimately cause cell cycle entry and the proliferation of the infected B cell. In order to identify cellular target genes that respond to EBNA-2 in the absence of other viral factors, we have performed a comprehensive search for EBNA-2 target genes in two EBV-negative B-cell lines. This screen identified 311 EBNA-2-induced and 239 EBNA-2-repressed genes that were significantly regulated in either one or both cell lines. The activation of most of these genes had not previously been attributed to EBNA-2 function and will be relevant for the identification of EBNA-2-specific contributions to EBV-associated malignancies. The diverse spectrum of EBNA-2 target genes described in this study reflects the broad spectrum of EBNA-2 functions involved in virus-host interactions, including cell signaling molecules, adapters, genes involved in cell cycle regulation, and chemokines.