Reactivation of Epstein-Barr virus by a dual-responsive fluorescent EBNA1-targeting agent with Zn-chelating function.

Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) plays a vital role in the maintenance of the viral genome and is the only viral protein expressed in nearly all forms of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latency and EBV-associated diseases, including numerous cancer types. To our knowledge, no specific agent against EBV genes or proteins has been established to target EBV lytic reactivation. Here we report an EBNA1- and Zn-responsive probe (ZRLP) which alone could reactivate the EBV lytic cycle through specific disruption of EBNA1.