BamHI-A rightward frame 1 (BARF1) (BARF1)

BamHI-A rightward frame 1 (BARF1) is a protein encoded by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) that serves as a potent virulence factor and oncogene (UniProt P03227). It is primarily recognized as a soluble decoy receptor for colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF-1), which allows the virus to suppress host macrophage activity and evade the immune system (PubMed: 11836371). BARF1 is highly expressed in EBV-associated malignancies, such as nasopharyngeal carcinoma and gastric cancer, where it promotes cell survival by activating anti-apoptotic pathways and stimulating the cell cycle (PubMed: 23135266). Its secretion into the extracellular environment and circulation makes it a viable diagnostic biomarker for these cancers (PubMed: 15150595). While no drugs are currently approved, BARF1 is a target of interest for therapeutic monoclonal antibodies and cancer vaccines aimed at restoring immune surveillance and inhibiting tumor growth.

Other names

BARF1Epstein-Barr virus BARF1 proteinCSF-1 receptor homologEBV-BARF1BamHI-A rightward open reading frame 1

BARF1 acts as a soluble decoy receptor that binds to colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF-1), preventing it from binding to its native receptor (CSF-1R) and thus suppressing macrophage-mediated immune responses (PubMed: 11836371).