BZLF1

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BZLF1, also called Zta or ZEBRA, is an early gene of the Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), a herpesvirus that mostly infects B cells in most people. It helps switch EBV from a latent (hidden) state to a loud, active (lytic) state by turning on other viral genes.

ZEBRA is a homodimer, meaning it forms pairs of identical subunits. Each subunit has 245 amino acids and a basic leucine zipper (bZIP) domain, a common feature of transcription factors. ZEBRA binds to the lytic origin of replication, oriLyt, and is essential for EBV to replicate during the lytic cycle.

ZEBRA works with the virus’s replication proteins, including the helicase-primase complex and BMRF1. Its activity can trigger a DNA damage response that boosts the expression of many lytic genes, including ZEBRA itself and EA-D, the EBV DNA polymerase factor.

Measuring BZLF1 levels helps indicate lytic EBV infection. Introducing BZLF1 into cells (transfection) can also prompt EBV to produce virus.