Keywords

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There is no doubt that EBNA1 is a central player in EBV infection and EBV-associated tumours. The contributions that EBNA1 makes to tumourigenesis are likely multifaceted. In part, the role of EBNA1 would be indirect in maintaining the EBV episomes, enabling the continued expression of EBV-encoded proteins and RNA molecules which themselves directly contribute to cell transformation. However, mounting evidence also points to a direct role for EBNA1 in EBV-associated tumours, which could be due to contributions to initial cell transformation and/or due to the ability to maintain the proliferation or survival of the transformed cells. More studies will be necessary to determine the mechanisms by which the EBNA1-associated cellular effects are manifested.