title: Regulation of transcription by the Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen EBNA 2.
abstract: The EBNA 2 (Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 2) transcription factor is essential for B-cell transformation by the cancer-associated EBV (Epstein-Barr virus) and for the continuous proliferation of infected cells. EBNA 2 activates transcription from the viral Cp (C promoter) during infection to generate the 120 kb transcript that encodes all nuclear antigens required for immortalization by EBV. EBNA 2 contains an acidic activation domain and can interact with a number of general transcription factors and co-activators. It is now becoming clear, however, that the regulation of transcription elongation in addition to initiation by EBNA 2, at least in part through CDK9 (cyclin-dependent kinase 9)-dependent phosphorylation of the RNA polymerase C-terminal domain, is likely to play a crucial role in the mechanism of action of this key viral protein.
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, UK.
authors.forename: Richard D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Palermo
authors.forename: Helen M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Webb
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gunnell
authors.forename: Michelle J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: West
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D019309:Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000235:genetics*; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D010766:Phosphorylation; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; C402641:EBNA-2 protein, Human herpesvirus 4; D019309:Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens; D014764:Viral Proteins