Prof. Kim Kyoung-dong of Department of Systems Biotechnology, Chung-Ang University and Prof. Lieberman of the Wistar Institute in the United States published their research outcomes on Feb 13, 2020 in the journal Nature Communications.

Prof. Kim published the study results as the first named author with a title “Epigenetic specifications of host chromosome docking sites for latent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV),” in which the research team identifies the attachment sites of latent EBV—one of human herpesvirus types—on lymphoma cell genomes.

EBV, which is infected during the incubation period, has been linked to various cancers including lymphoma, larynx cancer and stomach cancer. However, the host chromosome tethering sites of latent EBV have not been known well yet. 

The research team applied the 4C-seq data analysis method to identify the tethering sites of EBV on EBV-infected lymphoma cells and confirmed that EBV is attached to specific sites of the host chromosome in which gene expression is inactivated. It was also found that gene expression of the attachment sites was activated when EBV was contained. The research is expected to contribute to containing EBV infection during its incubation period with a better understanding of its mechanism.

* Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-019-14152-8