Prevents premature death of the host cell during virus production, which would otherwise reduce the amount of progeny virus. Acts as a host B-cell leukemia,lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) homolog, and interacts with pro-apoptotic proteins to prevent mitochondria permeabilization, release of cytochrome c and subsequent apoptosis of the host cell.
"Isolation and characterization of cDNA clones corresponding to transcripts from the BamHI H and F regions of the Epstein-Barr virus genome."Pfitzner A.J., Tsai E.C., Strominger J.L., Speck S.H.J. Virol. 61:2902-2909(1987)
Research Topic:Others