
EBNA (Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen)
EBNA, or Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen, refers to a group of proteins produced by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which is commonly known for causing infectious mononucleosis. These proteins play a crucial role in the virus's ability to infect human cells and maintain infection over time. EBNA proteins can be found in the nuclei of infected cells and are involved in regulating cell growth and survival, which sometimes contributes to the development of certain cancers. Understanding EBNA is important in studying EBV-related diseases and developing potential treatments.
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Epstein-Barr Nuclear Antigens (EBNA) are proteins produced by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which is a common virus that infects most people at some point in their lives. EBNA plays a crucial role in the virus's ability to replicate and persist in the body, particularly in certain immune cells. While many infections cause mild symptoms or none at all, EBV can lead to illnesses like infectious mononucleosis or, in some cases, more serious diseases. EBNA is often used as a marker in medical testing to study EBV-related conditions and understand the virus's behavior in the body.