Epstein-Barr viral latency and cell immortalization as targets for antisense oligomers.
The approach of using an antisense oligonucleotide to oppose the synthesis of a single selected viral gene product needed to maintain the EBV episome in non-virus-producing cells appears to be promising not only for possible cure of latent viral infection, but also for reversal of EBV-driven cell proliferation. It is also possible that targeting multiple latent viral genes might mount a synergistic effect that would prove to be more efficient at curing latent infection. However, further work is needed to identify the reasons for the variable results that are observed as well as to prove specificity of the inhibitory effects. Finally, we are also working on other assays and methods to screen compounds rapidly.
Pagano
J S
JS
Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 27599-7295.
Jimenez
G
G
Sung
N S
NS
Raab-Traub
N
N
Lin
J C
JC
D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D001483:Base Sequence; D002472:Cell Transformation, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016373:DNA, Antisense / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D019309:Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000382:microbiology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010957:Plasmids / Q000235:genetics
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D016373:DNA, Antisense; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D019309:Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens