MCRS2 and Nucleolar Sequestration of Rta of Epstein-Barr Virus

Rta is a transcription factor expressed during the onset of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) lytic cycle. This protein activates the transcription of EBV lytic genes and is critical to EBV lytic development. Our current study shows that Rta is expressed and sequestered in the nucleolus during EBV latency in Akata and P3HR1 cells. The sequestration likely relies on MCRS2, a nucleolar protein, since yeast two-hybrid and GST-pull down studies reveal that Rta interacts with MCRS2. Because Rta often interacts with transcription factors to enhance transcription and MCRS2 is known to activate the transcription of rRNA, the interaction between MCRS2 and Rta may promote the transcription of the rRNA gene. To elucidate the significance of Rta expression during EBV latency, this study will investigate (a) the interaction between Rta and MCRS2, (b) how the sequestration of Rta in the nucleolus affects EBV, and (c) how Rta influences the transcription of rRNA. This study will reveal an important function of Rta, which will lead to a better understanding on how Rta influences EBV latency.

Project ID:PA10007-0796
External Project ID:NSC100-2311-B182-003