Epstein Barr virus

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Classification

Higher order taxa

Domain; Phylum; Class; Order; Herpesviridae [Others may be used. Use Tree of Life link to find]

Species

Lymphocryptovirus Human herpesvirus 4

Description and significance

Describe the appearance, habitat, etc. of the organism, and why it is important enough to have its genome sequenced. Describe how and where it was isolated. Include a picture or two (with sources) if you can find them.

The Epstein-Barr virus is a memeber of the herpesvirus family. EBV is one of the most common human viruses that occurs worldwide. At one time in their lives most people become infected with the EBV. In the United State, between the ages of 35 and 40 years 95 percent of adults have been infected by the virus. When adolescents and young adults are infected with EBV, infectious mononucleosis is cause 35-50 percent of the time.

Genome structure

Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence? Does it have any plasmids? Are they important to the organism's lifestyle?

The B95-5 strain of the Epstein-Barr virus is comprised of 172,282 base pairs. Through mapping, likely regions of protein-coding have been found to encode for a ribonucleotide reductase, a DNA polymerase and two surface glycoproteins

Cell structure and metabolism

Describe any interesting features and/or cell structures; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.

Ecology

Describe any interactions with other organisms (included eukaryotes), contributions to the environment, effect on environment, etc.

The EBV has a ubiquitous and uniform epidemiological distribution. The strategy of the virus is to guarentee transmission through persistence and continuous replication. These two characteristics of the virus occur in the B lymphocytes where latency takes place and in the epithelial cells where replication occurs, EBV-associated malignacies could potentially take place in these cellular compartments.

Pathology

How does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.

The Epstein-Barr virus can cause infectious mononucleosis. Infectious mononucleosis can be contracted when a person is in pre to early adolescence. The transmission of mononuleosis can occur through the transfer of saliva and also through contact with the virus when it is airborne. The Epstein-Barr Virus mainly replicates in the beta-lymphocytes and also can replicate in the epithelial cells of the pharynx and parotodid duct. Common symptoms are fever, pharyngitis, adenopathy, malaise, and an atypical lymphocytosis.

Application to Biotechnology

Does this organism produce any useful compounds or enzymes? What are they and how are they used?

Current Research

Enter summaries of the most recent research here--at least three required

References

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/ebv.htm National Center For Infectious Diseases "Epstein-Bard Virus and Infectious Mononucleosis."

Andersson JP. Clinical aspects of Epstein-Barr virus infection. Scand J Infect Dis Suppl 1991;80:94-104

Baer R, Bankier AT, Biggin MD, Deininger PL, Farrell PJ, Gibson TJ, Hatfull G, Hudson GS, Satchwell SC, Séguin C, et al. DNA sequence and expression of the B95-8 Epstein-Barr virus genome. Nature. 310(5974):207–211. [PubMed]

Bailey RE. Diagnosis and treatment of infectious mononucleosis. Am Fam Physician 1994;49:879-88.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8713470 Schmidt CW, Misko IS. "The ecology and pathology of Epstein-Barr virus." Immunol Cell Biol. 1995 Dec;73(6):489-504

[Sample reference] Takai, K., Sugai, A., Itoh, T., and Horikoshi, K. "Palaeococcus ferrophilus gen. nov., sp. nov., a barophilic, hyperthermophilic archaeon from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent chimney". International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. 2000. Volume 50. p. 489-500.