Elsevier

Seminars in Cancer Biology

Volume 9, Issue 5, October 1999, Pages 369-375
Seminars in Cancer Biology

Regular Article
DNA methylation and the Epstein–Barr virus

https://doi.org/10.1006/scbi.1999.0137Get rights and content
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Abstract

EBV is a ubiquitous herpesvirus associated with a variety of lymphoid and epithelial tumors. In healthy lymphocytes and in tumors immune surveillance is evaded by suppression of a family of immunodominant viral antigens. Methylation of a viral promoter plays a crucial role in this suppression. Methylation of the viral genome in the latent state over evolutionary time is believed to account for CpG suppression that distinguishes this virus from most other large DNA viruses. Pharmacologic manipulation of methylation may offer an opportunity to unmask viral antigens and expose tumors to immune surveillance.

Keywords

Epstein-Barr virus, Burkitt's lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, EBNA, methylation

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