Epstein-Barr virus genome (EBV genome)

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genome is a linear, double-stranded DNA molecule of approximately 172 kilobases that encodes over 85 genes and various non-coding RNAs [6, 8]. As a member of the Gammaherpesvirinae subfamily, it is characterized by its ability to establish lifelong latent infection primarily in B lymphocytes and epithelial cells [11]. During latency, the genome exists as a circular episome within the host cell nucleus, tethered to host chromosomes by the viral protein EBNA1 to ensure its maintenance and partitioning during cell division [5, 11]. EBV is a potent oncogenic agent, contributing to the development of several malignancies, including Burkitt lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and Hodgkin lymphoma, and has been strongly linked to the pathogenesis of Multiple Sclerosis [5, 11]. Therapeutic strategies targeting the EBV genome include traditional nucleoside analogs like ganciclovir that inhibit the viral DNA polymerase during lytic replication, as well as emerging gene-editing technologies like CRISPR-Cas9 designed to directly cleave and eliminate the latent episomal reservoir [2, 9, 14]. Recent research also suggests that the spatial folding of the EBV genome, regulated by host proteins like PARP1, can be targeted by existing drugs such as olaparib to disrupt viral gene expression [1, 20].

Other names

Human gammaherpesvirus 4 genomeHHV-4 genomeEBV episomeEpstein-Barr virus DNA

Inhibition of viral DNA polymerase to prevent genome replication; direct enzymatic cleavage and degradation of the viral episome via CRISPR-Cas9; disruption of genome folding and transcriptional control via PARP1 inhibition.