Expression data from Epstein-Barr virus -positive and negative Akata Burkitt's Lymphoma Clones

Transition of Akata Burkitt lymphoma (BL) cells from a malignant to nonmalignant phenotype upon loss of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genomes in vitro is evidence for a viral contribution to tumor maintenance despite the tightly restricted pattern of EBV gene expression in BL. Akata cells retaining virus manifest increased resistance to apoptosis under growth limiting conditions, although ambiguity exists regarding the exact mechanisms involved. By examining global cellular gene expression differences in Akata subclones that had either retained or lost EBV, we identified spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase (SSAT), an inducible acetylating enzyme whose catabolism of polyamines affects both apoptosis and cell growth, as one of a limited number of cellular genes up-regulated upon loss of EBV.

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