Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has the ability to immortalize B cells. A viral key protein for immortalization is the transactivator EBNA2 that controls expression of several viral and cellular genes. EBNA2 is tethered to promoters by interacting with the cellular repressor RBP-J. This resembles the physiological activation of RBP-J-repressed promoters by activated Notch receptors (Notch-IC). Since EBNA2 and Notch-IC have been shown to be partially interchangeable in regard to activation of target genes in B cell lines and modulation of differentiation processes it is conceivable that EBNA2 is a biological equivalent of an activated Notch receptor.
Copyright 2001 Academic Press.
MeSH terms
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B-Lymphocytes / cytology*
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B-Lymphocytes / virology*
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Cell Survival
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Cell Transformation, Viral
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DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
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Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens / chemistry
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Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens / genetics
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Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens / metabolism*
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Herpesvirus 4, Human / genetics
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Herpesvirus 4, Human / metabolism*
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Humans
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Immunoglobulin J Recombination Signal Sequence-Binding Protein
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Membrane Proteins / chemistry
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Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
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Nuclear Proteins*
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Receptors, Notch
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Signal Transduction*
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Transcriptional Activation
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Viral Proteins
Substances
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DNA-Binding Proteins
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EBNA-2 protein, Human herpesvirus 4
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Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens
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Immunoglobulin J Recombination Signal Sequence-Binding Protein
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Membrane Proteins
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Nuclear Proteins
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RBPJ protein, human
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Receptors, Notch
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Viral Proteins