U of T researchers reveal Epstein-Barr virus protein contributes to cancerOctober 07, 2008TORONTO, ON - Researchers at the University of Toronto have discovered that the EBNA1 protein of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) disrupts structures in the nucleus of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells, thereby interfering with cellular processes that normally prevent cancer development. The study findings are published in the October 3rd edition of the journal PLoS Pathogens and describes a novel mechanism by which viral proteins contribute to carcinogenesis. EBV is a common herpes virus whose latent infection is strongly associated with several types of cancer including NPC, a tumor that is endemic in several parts of the world. With NPC only a few EBV proteins are expressed, including EBNA1. EBNA1 is required for the persistence of the EBV genomes; however, whether or not EBNA1 directly contributes to the development of tumors has not been clear, until now. The study conducted by Lori Frappier a professor of molecular genetics and her team at the University of Toronto examined PML nuclear bodies and proteins in EBV-positive and EBV-negative NPC cells. Manipulation of EBNA1 levels in each cell type clearly showed that EBNA1 expression induces the loss of PML proteins and PML nuclear bodies through an association of EBNA1 with the PML bodies. PML nuclear bodies are known to have tumor-suppressive effects due to their roles in regulating DNA repair and programmed cell death, and accordingly, EBNA1 was shown to interfere with these processes. "The findings support an important role for EBNA1 in the development of NPC, in which EBNA1-mediated disruption of PML nuclear bodies promotes the survival of cells with DNA damage," said Frappier. "Since EBNA1 is expressed in all EBV-associated tumors, including B-cell lymphomas and gastric carcinoma, these findings raise the possibility that EBNA1 could play a similar role in the development of these cancers. The cellular effects of EBNA1 in other EBV-induced cancers will require further investigation." University of Toronto |
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| Related Epstein-Barr Virus Current Events and Epstein-Barr Virus News Articles Immune therapy can protect against or treat later lymphoma Specially developed immune system cells that target the common Epstein-Barr virus can protect immune-suppressed bone marrow transplant recipients against lymph system disease and cancers that arise from the viral infection. Immunotherapy demonstrates long-term success in treating lymphoma Targeted immunotherapy has been an attractive new therapeutic area for a number of cancers because it has the potential to destroy tumor cells without damaging surrounding normal tissue. New study results demonstrate high success rates using specialized white blood cells to prevent or treat lymphoma associated with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV-lymphoma) in patients who have received a hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). Rare head and neck cancer linked to HPV, study finds An increase in cases of a rare type of head and neck cancer appears to be linked to HPV, or human papillomavirus, according to a new study from researchers at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center. UCSF researchers identify new drug target for Kaposi's Sarcoma UCSF researchers have identified a new potential drug target for the herpes virus that causes Kaposi's sarcoma, re-opening the possibility of using the class of drugs called protease inhibitors against the full herpes family of viruses, which for 20 years has been deemed too difficult to attain. Epstein-Barr Virus May Be Associated with Progression of MS Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), the pathogen that causes mononucleosis, appears to play a role in the neurodegeneration that occurs in persons with multiple sclerosis, researchers at the University at Buffalo and the University of Trieste, Italy, have shown. Varicella zoster infection causes severe autoimmune hepatitis Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic liver inflammation of unknown etiology that is characterized by the presence of circulatory autoantibodies and ongoing liver tissue damage. OHSU finds association between Epstein-Barr virus, inflammatory diseases of the mouth Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University's School of Dentistry (www.ohsu.edu/sod) have found that a significant percentage of dental patients with the inflammatory diseases irreversible pulpitis and apical periodontitis also have the Epstein-Barr virus. A double-barreled immune cell approach for neuroblastoma Adding an artificial tumor-specific receptor to immune system cells called T-lymphocytes that target a particular virus extended and improved the cells' ability to fight a form of childhood cancer called neuroblastoma, said researchers form Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital in a report that appears online today in the journal Nature Medicine. NIH scientists discover crucial control in long-lasting immunity National Institutes of Health (NIH) scientists have identified a protein that plays matchmaker between two key types of white blood cells, T and B cells, enabling them to interact in a way that is crucial to establishing long-lasting immunity after an infection. Vaccine shows promise in preventing mono A new study suggests that a vaccine targeting Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) may prevent infectious mononucleosis, commonly known as "mono" or "glandular fever." More Epstein-Barr Virus Current Events and Epstein-Barr Virus News Articles |
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