The left part of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genome exhibits a strong colinearity of structural and functional elements with the immunoglobulin (Ig) gene loci which is only partially reflected in nucleotide sequence homologies. We propose that this colinearity may be the result of an inter-dependent co-evolution of the immunoglobulin loci together with EBV. Our observation could help elucidating the mechanisms of somatic hypermutation, explaining the ability of EBV to accidentally cause tumors, and shedding more light on the general mechanisms of viral and organismal evolution. We suggest that persisting viruses served as a complement for the organismal germline like in a ping-pong game and outline The Ping-Pong Evolution Hypothesis.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1556/AMicr.51.2004.4.7DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

epstein-barr virus
8
immunoglobulin gene
8
gene loci
8
persisting viruses
8
region epstein-barr
4
virus genome
4
genome colinear
4
colinear rearranged
4
rearranged human
4
human immunoglobulin
4

Similar Publications

Background: There is no consensus regarding the optimal regimen for metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (dmNPC). Locoregional intensity modulated radiotherapy (LRRT) following palliative chemotherapy (PCT) has been shown to prolong the overall survival (OS) and improve the progression-free survival (PFS) of patients with dmNPC, compared with PCT alone. However, patients with a high tumor burden do not benefit from additional LRRT, which inevitably results in toxicity.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is an epithelial malignancy commonly associated with Epstein-Barr virus infection. While bone, liver, and lung metastases are well-documented, central nervous system (CNS) involvement, particularly spinal and meningeal metastases, is extremely rare. We present a 41-year-old male with nasal obstruction and diplopia, diagnosed with locally advanced NPC.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Interpreting the role of epigallocatechin-3-gallate in Epstein-Barr virus infection-mediated neuronal diseases.

Folia Microbiol (Praha)

January 2025

Infection Bioengineering Group, POD 1B-602, Department of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, 453552, India.

The increasing prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases is a formidable task due to their multifactorial causation and treatments limited to disease maintenance and progression. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is reported to be involved with neuropathologies; previous studies from our group suggested the effective binding of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) with EBV nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) and glycoprotein H (gH). Therefore, in the current study, we evaluated the anti-EBV effect of ECGG on the neuronal cells.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Self-reported health problems following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection are common and often include relatively non-specific complaints such as fatigue, exertional dyspnoea, concentration or memory disturbance and sleep problems. The long-term prognosis of such post-acute sequelae of COVID-19/post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS) is unknown, and data finding and correlating organ dysfunction and pathology with self-reported symptoms in patients with non-recovery from PCS is scarce. We wanted to describe clinical characteristics and diagnostic findings among patients with PCS persisting for >1 year and assessed risk factors for PCS persistence versus improvement.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) establishes persistent infection, causes infectious mononucleosis, is a major trigger for multiple sclerosis and contributes to multiple cancers. Yet, knowledge remains incomplete about how the virus remodels host B cells to support lytic replication. We previously identified that EBV lytic replication results in selective depletion of plasma membrane (PM) B cell receptor (BCR) complexes, composed of immunoglobulin and the CD79A and CD79B signaling chains.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!