Epstein-Barr virus-driven B cell lymphoma mediated by a direct LMP1-TRAF6 complex

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) drives viral B cell transformation and oncogenesis. LMP1’s transforming activity depends on its C-terminal activation region 2 (CTAR2), which induces NF-κB and JNK by engaging TNF receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6). The mechanism of TRAF6 recruitment to LMP1 and its role in LMP1 signalling remains elusive. Here we demonstrate that TRAF6 interacts directly with a viral TRAF6 binding motif within CTAR2. Functional and NMR studies supported by molecular modeling provide insight into the architecture of the LMP1-TRAF6 complex, which differs from that of CD40-TRAF6. The direct recruitment of TRAF6 to LMP1 is essential for NF-κB activation by CTAR2 and the survival of LMP1-driven lymphoma. Disruption of the LMP1-TRAF6 complex by inhibitory peptides interferes with the survival of EBV-transformed B cells. In this work, we identify LMP1-TRAF6 as a critical virus-host interface and validate this interaction as a potential therapeutic target in EBV-associated cancer. Epstein-Barr virus causes lymphoma. Here the authors describe a direct complex of the viral oncoprotein LMP1 with the cellular TRAF6 protein as a critical virus-host interface for lymphoma survival and validate this complex as a potential therapeutic target.