The Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen-1 promotes genomic instability via induction of reactive oxygen species

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) nuclear antigen (EBNA)-1 is the only viral protein expressed in all EBV-carrying malignancies, but its contribution to oncogenesis has remained enigmatic. We show that EBNA-1 induces chromosomal aberrations, DNA double-strand breaks, and engagement of the DNA damage response (DDR). These signs of genomic instability are associated with the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and are reversed by antioxidants. The catalytic subunit of the leukocyte NADPH oxidase, NOX2/gp91(phox), is transcriptionally activated in EBNA-1-expressing cells, whereas inactivation of the enzyme by chemical inhibitors or RNAi halts ROS production and DDR. These findings highlight a novel function of EBNA-1 and a possible mechanism by which expression of this viral protein could contribute to malignant transformation and tumor progression.