A single nucleotide polymorphism in the BART promoter region of Epstein-Barr virus isolated from nasopharyngeal cancer cells

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) encodes BamHIA rightward transcript (BART) microRNAs (miRNAs). These miRNAs are expressed at high levels in epithelial tumors, such as nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). BART miRNAs play important roles in EBV-associated malignancies, however, the reason for their high expressi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biochemical and biophysical research communications 2019-12, Vol.520 (2), p.373-378
Main Authors: Kim, Hyoji, Burassakarn, Ati, Kang, Yuting, Iizasa, Hisashi, Yoshiyama, Hironori
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
BART miRNA
Epstein-Barr virus
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Single nucleotide polymorphism
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Summary:Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) encodes BamHIA rightward transcript (BART) microRNAs (miRNAs). These miRNAs are expressed at high levels in epithelial tumors, such as nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). BART miRNAs play important roles in EBV-associated malignancies, however, the reason for their high expression in NPC is unclear. We performed multiple sequence alignment of six completely sequenced EBV strains: Akata, YCCEL1, SNU719, C666-1, Mutu I, and M81. A single-nucleotide deletion was identified at the promoter region of BART. The luciferase assay suggested that this single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) significantly increased BART promoter activity. In addition to deletion, substitution at the same site also increased BART promoter activity. Analysis of the 170 EBV genome sequences from NPC and EBV-associated gastric cancers revealed that the frequency of this SNP was associated with NPC incidence and this SNP was found to be accumulated in the BART promoter region. Overall, our results suggested that this SNP should enhance BART promoter activity and thus, might contribute to the development of EBV-associated epithelial malignancies. •EBV encoded BART miRNAs are highly expressed in epithelial tumors.•A SNP in the EBV miRNA promoter is prevalent in NPC cells.•The SNP significantly increased BART promoter activity.
ISSN:0006-291X
1090-2104
DOI:10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.10.028