NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The essential nuclear antigen of Ebstein-Barr virus (EBV), known as EBNA3C, targets a critical regulator of the cell cycle called the SCFSkp2 complex, according to a report in the March issue of Molecular and Cellular Biology. Ultimately, this finding could shed light on how EBV induces lymphomas and lead to new treatments, say the authors of the study.
“Viruses that are associated with cancers typically target the cell cycle to gain control,” senior author Dr. Erle S. Robertson, from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, said in a statement. “However, this is the first time that laboratory research into how EBV drives the cancer process has directly identified a critical component of the cell cycle for control.”
By interacting with SCFSkp2, EBNA3C essentially removes the normal stop signals a lymphocyte encounters, resulting in uncontrolled growth.
Dr. Roberston believes that EBNA3C could now serve as a target for future therapeutic interventions.
Source: Mol Cell Biol 2005;25:1749-1763. [ Google search on this article ]
MeSH Headings:Biological Phenomena, Cell Phenomena, and Immunity: Biological Sciences: Biology: Cell Cycle: Cell Physiology: Cytogenetics: DNA-Binding Proteins: Genetics: Growth and Embryonic Development: Neoplasms: Neoplasms, Experimental: Physiological Processes: Tumor Virus Infections: Cell Cycle Proteins: Epstein-Barr Virus Infections: Biological Sciences: DiseasesCopyright © 2002 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Reuters and the Reuters sphere logo are registered trademarks and trademarks of the Reuters group of companies around the world.
