Recombinant Epstein-Barr virus Apoptosis regulator BHRF1 (BHRF1), partial

The expression region of this recombinant Epstein-Barr virus BHRF1 covers amino acids 1-142. The expected molecular weight for the BHRF1 protein is calculated to be 19.8 kDa. This protein is generated in a e.coli-based system. The N-terminal 10xHis tag was smoothly integrated into the coding gene of BHRF1, which enables a simple process of detecting and purifying the BHRF1 recombinant protein in the following steps.

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) apoptosis regulator BHRF1 is a homolog of the cellular Bcl-2 protein, which plays a crucial role in regulating apoptosis and inhibiting the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Similarly, BHRF1 functions as an anti-apoptotic protein in EBV-infected cells. By interacting with pro-apoptotic factors and preventing mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization, BHRF1 helps the virus evade the host immune response and establish persistent infections. It is particularly involved in blocking the apoptotic response induced by various cellular stress signals, contributing to the survival of infected cells. Understanding the mechanisms employed by BHRF1 in modulating apoptosis is crucial for elucidating the pathogenesis of EBV-associated diseases and may have implications for the development of antiviral strategies.