EBV EA

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), also known as human herpesvirus 4 (HHV-4), is a member of the herpesvirus family. It is one of the most common viruses in humans and is best known for causing infectious mononucleosis, commonly referred to as glandular fever . EBV is also associated with various forms of cancer, including Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Burkitt’s lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and central nervous system lymphomas, particularly in individuals with HIV .

The EBV early antigen (EA) is a complex of proteins expressed during the early phase of viral replication. These proteins are crucial for the virus’s ability to replicate and establish infection in host cells. The EA complex includes several components, such as the diffuse (EA-D) and restricted (EA-R) antigens .

Recombinant EBV early antigens are produced using genetic engineering techniques. These recombinant proteins are typically expressed in bacterial or mammalian cell systems and are used for various research and diagnostic purposes. For example, the recombinant EBV early antigen (a.a. 306-390) is produced in E. coli and is used in immunization protocols to generate antibodies that specifically target the protein of interest .

Recombinant EBV early antigens have several applications in research and diagnostics:

• Immunization Protocols: These antigens are used to generate specific antibodies for research and diagnostic purposes .
• ELISA Kits: Recombinant antigens are used in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) to detect antibodies against EBV in patient samples .
• Vaccine Development: Research on recombinant EBV antigens contributes to the development of vaccines against EBV-related diseases .

Recombinant EBV early antigens are typically supplied in a lyophilized form and should be stored at 2-8°C for short-term storage or at -20°C for long-term storage. It is important to avoid freeze-thaw cycles to maintain the protein’s stability and activity .