Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 3B (EBNA3B)

Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 3B (EBNA3B) is one of three related proteins encoded by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a member of the herpesvirus family that infects humans and establishes lifelong, latent infections, primarily in B cells. EBNA3B is classified as a nuclear antigen and acts as a transcriptional regulator, influencing both host and viral gene expression, often in concert with its homologs EBNA3A and EBNA3C. Unlike EBNA3A and EBNA3C, which are required for in vitro B-cell transformation and display oncogenic functions, EBNA3B is dispensable for B-cell transformation in vitro and acts as a tumor suppressor by upregulating immune-relevant genes such as CXCL10 and promoting immune surveillance. Loss of EBNA3B function has been associated with the formation of lymphoma-like tumors and impaired recruitment of cytotoxic T cells, highlighting its role in modulating the host immune response and tumor suppression. EBNA3B functions by epigenetically reprogramming gene expression and maintaining the balance necessary for EBV’s lifelong latency and immune evasion. There are currently no known drugs specifically targeting EBNA3B, and its main clinical significance lies in its function in viral latency, immune evasion, and possible implications in EBV-associated lymphomas.

Other names

EBNA-3BEBNA3BEpstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen 3BBLLF2