EBV p18

The Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), also known as Human Herpesvirus 4 (HHV-4), is a member of the gamma herpesvirus family and is one of the most common human viruses. It is known for causing infectious mononucleosis (glandular fever) and is associated with various types of cancers, including Burkitt’s lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma .

EBV is a double-stranded, enveloped, linear DNA virus. Upon infecting B-lymphocytes, the virus’s linear genome circularizes and persists within the cell as an episome . The virus has several structural proteins, among which the small capsid protein p18 is highly immunogenic in humans .

The p18 protein is a late antigen of the Epstein-Barr Virus. It is a part of the viral capsid and plays a crucial role in the virus’s ability to infect and persist in the host. The essential B-cell epitopes of p18 have been mapped to the carboxy region, making it a significant target for immune responses .

Recombinant p18 is a laboratory-produced version of the p18 protein. It is often tagged with Glutathione S-transferase (GST) at the N-terminus to facilitate purification and detection. The recombinant protein is typically expressed in E. coli and purified using proprietary chromatographic techniques .

Recombinant p18 is used in various research and diagnostic applications. It is employed in serological assays to detect antibodies against EBV in human sera, which is crucial for diagnosing EBV infections. Additionally, it is used in studies to understand the immune response to EBV and to develop potential vaccines and therapeutic strategies .