BAARF1

BAARF1 is a protein encoded by the BAARF1 gene. This gene is found in the human herpesvirus 4, also known as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). The BAARF1 protein is a viral protein, meaning it is produced by the virus. Its function within the viral life cycle is not fully understood, but it is believed to play a role in the virus's ability to infect cells and replicate.

EBV is a very common human virus that can cause infectious mononucleosis, also known as mono. While EBV typically establishes a lifelong latent infection, it is also associated with certain cancers, particularly lymphomas and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The BAARF1 protein is one of several proteins produced by EBV during its lytic (active replication) phase. Research into BAARF1 is ongoing to better understand its interactions with host cells and its potential contributions to EBV-associated diseases. Scientists are investigating its role in immune evasion and its potential as a target for antiviral therapies. Its specific molecular mechanisms and its precise contribution to viral pathogenesis are areas of active investigation.