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Multiple pathways for Epstein‐Barr virus episome loss from nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Author(s) -
Dittmer Dirk P.,
Hilscher Chelsey J.,
Gulley Margaret L.,
Yang Eric V.,
Chen Min,
Glaser Ronald
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
international journal of cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.475
H-Index - 234
eISSN - 1097-0215
pISSN - 0020-7136
DOI - 10.1002/ijc.23685
Subject(s) - nasopharyngeal carcinoma , biology , virus , epstein–barr virus , clone (java method) , virology , genome , phenotype , genetics , dna , gene , medicine , radiation therapy
Abstract Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) is the prototypical example for episomal persistence of genetic information. Yet, little is known about how this viral episome is lost. Episome loss occurs naturally in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) upon explantation into culture. Using whole‐genome profiling, we found evidence for 2 different pathways of episome loss: ( i ) rapid loss of the entire episome or ( ii ) successive mutation/deletion of the episome until at least 1 essential cis‐element is destroyed. This second phenotype was seen in a clone of HONE‐1 NPC cells that maintains the EBV episome for prolonged time in culture. The conceptual insights provided by our quantitative analysis should aid our understanding of mammalian episomes, as well as lead to designs to cure latent viral infection. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.