Epstein–Barr virus BALF0/1 subverts the Caveolin and ERAD pathways to target B cell receptor complexes for degradation

Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) establishes persistent infection, causes infectious mononucleosis, is a major trigger for multiple sclerosis and contributes to multiple cancers. Yet, knowledge remains incomplete about how the virus remodels host B cells to support lytic replication. We previously identified that EBV lytic replication results in selective depletion of plasma membrane (PM) B cell receptor (BCR) complexes, composed of immunoglobulin and the CD79A and CD79B signaling chains. Here, we used proteomic and biochemical approaches to identify that the EBV early lytic protein BALF0/1 is responsible for EBV lytic cycle BCR degradation. Mechanistically, an immunoglobulin heavy chain (HC) cytoplasmic tail KVK motif was required for ubiquitin-mediated BCR degradation, while CD79A and CD79B were dispensable. BALF0/1 subverted caveolin-mediated endocytosis to internalize PM BCR complexes and to deliver them to the endoplasmic reticulum. BALF0/1 stimulated immunoglobulin HC cytoplasmic tail ubiquitination, which together with the ATPase valosin-containing protein/p97 drove ER-associated degradation of BCR complexes by cytoplasmic proteasomes. BALF0/1 knockout reduced the viral load of secreted EBV particles from B cells that expressed a monoclonal antibody against EBV glycoprotein 350 but not a control anti-influenza hemagglutinin antibody and increased viral particle immunoglobulin incorporation. Consistent with downmodulation of PM BCR, BALF0/1 overexpression reduced viability of a diffuse large B cell lymphoma cell line whose survival is dependent upon BCR signaling. Collectively, our results suggest that EBV BALF0/1 downmodulates immunoglobulin upon lytic reactivation to block BCR signaling and support virion release, but await the development of suitable models to test its roles in EBV reactivation in vivo.