Phase Separation of Epstein-Barr Virus EBNA2 and Its Coactivator EBNALP Controls Gene Expression
Peng Qiu, Lujuan Wang, Zailong Qin, Jia Wang, Xiang Zheng, Lingyu Wei, Xiaoyue Zhang, Xuemei Zhang, Can Liu, Zhengshuo Li, Yangge Wu, Guiyuan Li, Qun Yan, Jian Ma
Abstract
Protein condensates can be assembled via liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), a process involving the concentration of molecules in a confined liquid-like compartment. LLPS allows for the compartmentalization and sequestration of materials and can be harnessed as a sensitive strategy for responding to small changes in the environment. This study identified the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) proteins EBNA2 and EBNALP, which mediate virus and cellular gene transcription, as transcription factors that can form liquid-like condensates at superenhancer sites of MYC and Runx3. This study discovered the first identified LLPS of EBV proteins and emphasized the importance of LLPS in controlling host gene expression.