BHRF1 antisense oligonucleotide inhibits anti-apoptosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells

Epstein-Barr virus gene BHRF1 has homology with proto-oncogene bcl-2, which can protect cells from apoptosis, thus, it may play important roles in onc ogenesis and affect treatment of EBV-related cancers. We used BHRF1 antisen se oligonucleotide to block its expression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line, CNE2. The results showed that after blocking by BHRF1 antisense olig onucleotide, CNE2 cells had higher S-phase cell percentage, more susceptibi lity to radiation with weaker ability of proliferation, colony forming effi ciency and tumor development in nude mice after radiation. Our results sugg est that BHRF1 antisense oligonucleotide could inhibit BHRF1 anti-apoptotic ability, and may contribute to the treatment of EBV-related cancers.