Contribution of Epstein–Barr Virus Lytic Proteins to Cancer Hallmarks and Implications from Other Oncoviruses

Abstract

Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is a prevalent human gamma-herpesvirus that infects the majority of the adult population worldwide and is associated with several lymphoid and epithelial malignancies. EBV displays a biphasic life cycle, namely, latent and lytic replication cycles, expressing a diversity of viral proteins. Among the EBV proteins being expressed during both latent and lytic cycles, the oncogenic roles of EBV lytic proteins are largely uncharacterized. In this review, the established contributions of EBV lytic proteins in tumorigenesis are summarized according to the cancer hallmarks displayed. We further postulate the oncogenic properties of several EBV lytic proteins by comparing the evolutionary conserved oncogenic mechanisms in other herpesviruses and oncoviruses.

Targeting EBV‐encoded products: Implications for drug development in EBV‐associated diseases

“…In the process of lytic replication, the expressed proteins are classified into immediate‐early lytic proteins (IE), early lytic proteins(E), and late lytic proteins(L) based on their roles in viral replication 10 . It is important to note that while EBV‐related cancers primarily involve the latent period of EBV, the expression of EBV lytic proteins also plays a significant role in promoting tumour development 11,12 . The biological activities of EBV lytic proteins include immune evasion, tissue invasion and metastasis, stimulation of mutations and genomic instability in malignancies associated with EBV, resistance to cell death, and preservation of proliferative signals 12–14 …”

“…11,12 The biological activities of EBV lytic proteins include immune evasion, tissue invasion and metastasis, stimulation of mutations and genomic instability in malignancies associated with EBV, resistance to cell death, and preservation of proliferative signals. [12][13][14] To provide a comprehensive understanding of the role of EBV products in the development of specific diseases, extensive research has been conducted to explore and develop drugs that specifically target these products. As a result, significant progress has been made in this field.…”

“…10 It is important to note that while EBV-related cancers primarily involve the latent period of EBV, the expression of EBV lytic proteins also plays a significant role in promoting tumour development. 11,12 The biological activities of EBV lytic proteins include immune evasion, tissue invasion and metastasis, stimulation of mutations and genomic instability in malignancies associated with EBV, resistance to cell death, and preservation of proliferative signals. [12][13][14] To provide a comprehensive understanding of the role of EBV products in the development of specific diseases, extensive research has been conducted to explore and develop drugs that specifically target these products.…”