EPSTEIN-BARR-VIRUS BHRF1 PROHIBITS THE CELLS OF NASOPHARYNGEAL CARCINOMA FROM APOPTOSIS

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma ( NPC). The BHRF1 EBV protein is expressed at high levels in productivel y infected cells and certain latently infected cells. In order to inve stigate the effect of expression of BHRF1 on the biological behaviour of NPC cells, we constructed the BHRF1 high expression vector and tran sfected it into the NPC cell line, CNE2. Then, the alteration of proli feration and apoptotic rates in the cells were tested before and after camptothecin treatment. After treatment by camptothecin, BHRF1-CNE2 c ells could constantly and slowly proliferate and its apoptotic rate wa s less than in control groups, and the number of cells in the G phase decreased and in the S phase increased. So, it suggests that BHRF1 exp ression can enhance the resistibility of CNE2 cells to DNA-damaging ag ents that cause apoptosis.