The BHLF1 Locus of Epstein-Barr Virus Contributes to Viral Latency and B-Cell Immortalization.

ABSTRACT: The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) BHLF1 gene encodes an abundant linear and several circular RNAs believed to perform noncoding functions during virus replication, although an open reading frame (ORF) is retained among an unknown percentage of EBV isolates. Evidence suggests that BHLF1 is also transcribed during latent infection, which prompted us to investigate the contribution of this locus to latency. Analysis of transcripts transiting BHLF1 revealed that its transcription is widespread among B-cell lines supporting the latency I or III program of EBV protein expression and is more complex than originally presumed. EBV-negative Burkitt lymphoma cell lines infected with either wild-type or two different BHLF1 mutant EBVs were initially indistinguishable in supporting latency III. However, cel

SUBMITTER: Yetming KD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7431786 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature