EBV Early Antigens

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), also designated human herpesvirus 4 (HHV-4), is a member of the herpesvirus family and is one of the most common human viruses. EBV infects B cells and, though often asymptomatic, it can cause infectious mononucleosis, a disease characterized by fatigue, fever, sore throat and muscle soreness. The EBV-induced early antigens (Ea) are among several antigen complexes that have been identified in EBV-infected cells. The Ea complex is composed of diffuse (Ea-D) and restricted (Ea-R) components. The activity of Ea-D is suppressed during latent infection. BMRF1, the gene that encodes for Ea-D, is closely associated with the gene encoding for EBV DNA polymerase, and Ea-D is essential for the activity of this polymerase. Ea-D forms a complex with EBV DNase and, together, they may play a role in viral replication.