Short Report
EBER2 RNA-induced transcriptome changes identify cellular processes likely targeted during Epstein Barr Virus infection
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* Corresponding author: Arndt Benecke arndt@ihes.fr
- † Equal contributors
1 Department of Biochemistry; Ruhr University Bochum; Universitätsstr, 150; 44780 Bochum; Germany
2 Institut des Hautes Études Scientifiques & Institut de Recherche Interdiciplinaire – CNRS USR3078 – Université Lille1; 35, route de Chartres; 91440 Bures sur Yvette; France
BMC Research Notes 2008, 1:100 doi:10.1186/1756-0500-1-100
Published: 28 October 2008Abstract
Background
Little is known about the physiological role of the EBER1 and 2 nuclear RNAs during Epstein Barr viral infection. The EBERs are transcribed by cellular RNA Polymerase III and their strong expression results in 106 to 107 copies per EBV infected cell, making them reliable diagnostic markers for the presence of EBV. Although the functions of most of the proteins targeted by EBER RNAs have been studied, the role of EBERs themselves still remains elusive.
Findings
The cellular transcription response to EBER2 expression using the wild-type and an internal deletion mutant was determined. Significant changes in gene expression patterns were observed. A functional meta-analysis of the regulated genes points to inhibition of stress and immune responses, as well as activation of cellular growth and cytoskeletal reorganization as potential targets for EBER2 RNA. Different functions can be assigned to different parts of the RNA.
Conclusion
These results provide new avenues to the understanding of EBER2 and EBV biology, and set the grounds for a more in depth functional analysis of EBER2 using transcriptome activity measurements.