This SpringerBrief is comprehensive account of the functions and effects
of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) EBNA1 protein that relate to
EBV-associated cancers and evidence for EBNA1 contributions to these
cancers. EBNA1 was the first EBV protein detected and the most critical
for EBV latent infection. EBNA1 fulfills multiple functions at EBV
genomes which have been described in many (sometimes confusing) reports
over the last 28 years. While these were initially thought to be the
only roles of EBNA1, many reports in recent years have shown that EBNA1
also directly affects cellular processes in ways that would be expected
to contribute to oncogenesis. However, the degree to which EBNA1
promotes cell survival and oncogenesis in various types of human tumours
is not entirely clear and a matter of debate. This book offers a current
synopsis of EBNA1 functions in EBV latency, including functions in DNA
replication, mitotic segregation and transcription. Mechanisms of these
EBNA1 functions is also discussed as well as implications for
tumourigenesis. In addition, the cellular effects of EBNA1 will be
reviewed, including how EBNA1 manipulates specific cellular proteins and
relationships to EBV-associated lymphomas and carcinomas.