Tuesday, March 4, 2025 Epstein-Barr Virus's Molecular Mimicry Reveals a Key Site of Vulnerability 3D models showing the molecular footprints of the Epstein-Barr virus gp350 surface protein (left, in green) and the complement component Cd3 ligand (right, in pink) on the B cell surface protein complement receptor 2 (CR2; shown in duplicate side-by-side, in gray). Credit: NIAID Looking for ways to counter Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), NIAID researchers are examining how the virus recognizes and interacts with cells at the molecular level. New research reveals the high-resolution crystal structure of a protein on the surface of EBV in complex with the receptor it binds to on the surface of human immune cells, called B cells. The researchers also discovered antibodies that potently neutralize EBV and found that they recognize the viral surface protein using interactions similar to those between EBV and its receptor on host cells. This research identifies a vulnerable site on EBV that could lead to the design of much-needed interventions against the virus, which causes mononucleosis (mono for short) and some types of cancer and autoimmune diseases. Learn more on the NIAID Now blog. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases  |  National Institutes of Health Update your subscriptions, modify your password or e-mail address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. You will need to use your e-mail address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please contact Subscriber Help. Your subscription may be removed if you do not open our emails for a six-month period.  This service is provided to you at no charge by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).                             This email was sent to myhcistech.healthnews360@blogger.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases · 5601 Fishers Lane · Bethesda, MD 20892 · 1-866-284-4107