Published online by Cambridge University Press: 29 June 2007
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The BHRF1 EBV protein is expressed at high levels in productively infected cells and certain latently infected cells. In order to investigate the effect of expression of BHRF1 on the biological behaviour of NPC cells, we constructed the BHRF1 high expression vector and transfected it into the NPC cell line, CNE2. Then, the alteration of proliferation and apoptotic rates in the cells were tested before and after camptothecin treatment. After treatment by camptothecin, BHRF1-CNE2 cells could constantly and slowly proliferate and its apoptotic rate was less than in control groups, and the number of cells in the G phase decreased and in the S phase increased. So, it suggests that BHRF1 expression can enhance the resistibility of CNE2 cells to DNA damaging agents that cause apoptosis.