Flow cytometric analysis of BHRF1 expression prohibiting apoptosis inducedby radiation

The Epstein-Barr virus gene BHRF1 has homology with proto-oncogene bcl-2, w hich can protect cells from apoptosis. In order to investigate the effect o f BHRF1 expression on the anti-apoptotic ability of nasopharyngeal carcinom a (NPC) cells after irradiation, a high-BHRF1 expression vector was constru cted and transfected into the NPC cell line CNE2. Then, the alteration of p roliferation and apoptosis in the cells was tested by flow cytometry after cobalt 60 irradiation. The results showed that BHRF1 expression could incre ase G1 delay and decrease the cell percentage in S phase before irradiation , and reduce the apoptotic rate of CNE2 cells and increase the cell percent age in S phase after irradiation. The results suggest that BHRF1 expression is able to alter the cell cycle and protect CNE2 cells from apoptosis indu ced by radiation.