The Action of EBNA1 as an Oncogene in Vivo

Tsimbouri, P. and Wilson, J.B. (2002) The Action of EBNA1 as an Oncogene in Vivo. 10th International Symposium on Epstein-Barr Virus and Associated Malignant Diseases, Cairns, Australia, 16-21 Jul 2002.

Abstract

Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen-1 (EBNA1) plays a key role in the maintenance of the viral genome and is consistently expressed in all the EBV associated tumour types. We have shown that expression of EBNA1 in transgenic mice predisposes the mice to B cell lymphoma (Wilson et al., 1996, EMBO J., 15, p3117). We are currently analysing how EBNA1 may act as an oncogene in vivo. We have found that it is redundant with Bcl-2 in transgenic crossbreed experiments in the assay of tumour latency. In accordance with this observation we have noted up-regulation of the anti-apoptotic gene Bc-lxL. Furthermore, spleen and BM cell cultures derived from EµEBNA1 mice show a greater capacity for cultured growth compared to controls, most notably in the presence of IL-2 (Tsimbouri et al., Oncogene, in press). We are currently extending our analysis of the EBNA1 transgenic lymphocytes in response to IL-2. Using macroarrays for differential gene expression, our preliminary studies suggest that expression of several immediate early response genes may be influenced by EBNA1. We are expanding this analysis using microarrays with a view to correlating the observed gene expression profile with the observed phenotype.

• Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item
• Status: Published
• Refereed: No
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Wilson, Professor Joanna and Tsimbouri, Dr Monica
• Authors: Tsimbouri, P., and Wilson, J.B.
• Subjects: Q Science > QR Microbiology > QR355 Virology
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Molecular Biosciences; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Life Sciences