title: The role of the EBV-encoded latent membrane proteins LMP1 and LMP2 in the pathogenesis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).
abstract: Although frequently expressed in EBV-positive malignancies, the contribution of the oncogenic latent membrane proteins, LMP1 and LMP2, to the pathogenesis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is not fully defined. As a key effector in EBV-driven B cell transformation and an established "transforming" gene, LMP1 displays oncogenic properties in rodent fibroblasts and induces profound morphological and phenotypic effects in epithelial cells. LMP1 functions as a viral mimic of the TNFR family member, CD40, engaging a number of signalling pathways that induce morphological and phenotypic alterations in epithelial cells. Although LMP2A plays an essential role in maintaining viral latency in EBV infected B cells, its role in epithelial cells is less clear. Unlike LMP1, LMP2A does not display "classical" transforming functions in rodent fibroblasts but its ability to engage a number of potentially oncogenic cell signalling pathways suggests that LMP2A can also participate in EBV-induced epithelial cell growth transformation. Here we review the effects of LMP1 and LMP2 on various aspects of epithelial cell behaviour highlighting key aspects that may contribute to the pathogenesis of NPC.
authors.affiliation: Birmingham Cancer Research UK Cancer Centre, School of Cancer Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom. c.w.dawson@bham.ac.uk
authors.forename: Christopher W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Dawson
authors.forename: Rebecca J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Port
authors.forename: Lawrence S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Young
mesh_terms: D002277:Carcinoma; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D000077274:Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000821:virology*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: C037662:EBV-associated membrane antigen, Epstein-Barr virus; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins