Interaction between basic residues of epstein-barr virus EBNA1 protein and cellular chromatin mediates viral plasmid maintenance

Abstract

Background: Epstein-Barr virus episomes piggyback onto cellular chromosomes in latently infected cells. Results: EBNA1 was functionally sound even when arginines within its chromosome binding domains were replaced with lysines. Conclusion: The basic nature of the domains is critically important for the chromosome binding. Significance: Learning how EBNA1 attaches to chromosomes is crucial for understanding the mechanism of stable maintenance of viral episomes. © 2013 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.