# Structure and Function of EBV Protein Complexes that Trigger Epithelial Cell Entry

> **NIH NIH R01** · NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $704,020

## Abstract

Project Summary
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a gammaherpesvirus that causes infectious mononucleosis and is associated with
B cell and epithelial cell cancers. EBV is an enveloped virus and therefore requires the fusion of the viral and
cellular membrane to infect cells. The specificity of cell infection and membrane fusion triggered by the virus is
for B cell entry is governed by four viral glycoproteins (gH, gL, gB and gp42), whereas EBV entry into epithelial
cells requires three viral glycoproteins (gH, gL, and gB). The gB protein is thought to play the primary role in
mediating membrane fusion, receiving activating signals from the other proteins after receptor binding to cells.
The gH and gL proteins form a complex that also associates with gp42, and this three-way complex is
necessary for binding receptors on B cells and triggering their infection. However, for epithelial cells, gHgL
interacts directly with EphA2 triggering EBV membrane fusion and entry, presumably by activating gB. These
"triggering" complexes of gHgL and cellular receptors are critically important for initiating EBV infection, but
little is known about their structure and mechanism of action. In this proposal, the Jardetzky, Longnecker, and
Zhou research groups will collaborate on studies of the architecture and mechanism of EBV epithelial cell
triggering complexes, to gain greater insight into herpesvirus entry into cells. These studies may reveal general
features of herpesvirus-mediated membrane fusion and open new possibilities for antiviral or vaccine
development.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10336390
- **Project number:** 5R01AI137267-05
- **Recipient organization:** NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Theodore S Jardetzky
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $704,020
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-02-06 → 2024-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10336390

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10336390, Structure and Function of EBV Protein Complexes that Trigger Epithelial Cell Entry (5R01AI137267-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10336390. Licensed CC0.

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