@article{58f3eb5151244390b9221cf6ffc2df86,
title = "EBNA1-targeted probe for the imaging and growth inhibition of tumours associated with the Epstein-Barr virus",
abstract = "Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1), a dimeric oncoprotein of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), is essential for both viral-genome maintenance and the survival of infected cells. Despite EBNA1's potential as a therapeutic target, tools for the direct monitoring of EBNA1 in vitro and in vivo are lacking. Here, we show that a peptide-based inhibitor that luminesces when bound to EBNA1 inside the nucleus of EBV + cells can regulate EBNA1 homodimer formation and selectively inhibit the growth of EBV + tumours of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells (C666-1 and NPC43) and Burkitt's lymphoma Raji cells. We also show that the peptide-based probe leads to 93% growth inhibition of EBV + tumours in mice. Our findings support the hypothesis that selective inhibition of EBNA1 dimerization can be used to afford better EBV-related cancer differentiation, and highlight the potential application of the probe as a new generation of biotracers for investigating the fundamental biological function of EBNA1 and for exploring its application as a therapeutic target.",
author = "Lijun Jiang and Rongfeng Lan and Tao Huang and Chan, {Chi Fai} and Hongguang Li and Sam Lear and Jingyi Zong and Wong, {Wing Yan} and {Muk-Lan Lee}, Magnolia and {Dow Chan}, Brandon and Chan, {Wai Lun} and Lo, {Wai Sum} and Mak, {Nai Ki} and {Li Lung}, Maria and Lung, {Hong Lok} and {Wah Tsao}, Sai and Taylor, {Graham S.} and Zhaoxiang Bian and Tai, {William C S} and Law, {Ga Lai} and Wong, {Wing Tak} and Cobb, {Steven L.} and Ka-Leung Wong",
note = "This work is funded by the Hong Kong Baptist University (FRG2/14-15/013013), Hong Kong Polytechnic University (HKPolyU), Hong Kong Research Grants Council (HKBU 20301615), Hong Kong Polytechnic University Central Research Grant (G-UC08), Hong Kong Research Grants Council (PolyU 153012/15P), University Research Facility for Chemical and Environmental Analysis (UCEA) and Area of Excellent Grants (1-ZVGG) of Hong Kong Polytechnic University, ECS-Grant - RGC (PolyU 253002/14P), HK PolyU (PolyU 5096/13P), HKBU and HKPolyU Joint Research Programme (RC-ICRS/15-16/02F-WKL02F-WKL), the EPSRC (Durham University, DTA award) and Research Grants Council of the Hong Kong SAR for the NPC Area of Excellence (AoE/M 06/08 Center for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Research).",
year = "2017",
month = apr,
doi = "10.1038/s41551-017-0042",
language = "English",
volume = "1",
journal = "Nature Biomedical Engineering",
issn = "2157-846X",
publisher = "Nature Research",
number = "4",
}