Paired box protein Pax-5

Transcription factor that plays an essential role in commitment of lymphoid progenitors to the B-lymphocyte lineage. Fulfills a dual role by repressing B-lineage inappropriate genes and simultaneously activating B-lineage-specific genes. In turn, regulates cell adhesion and migration, induces V(H)-to-D(H)J(H) recombination, facilitates pre-B-cell receptor signaling and promotes development to the mature B-cell stage. Repression of the cohesin-release factor WAPL causes global changes of the chromosomal architecture in pro-B cells to facilitate the generation of a diverse antibody repertoire.; (Microbial infection) Plays an essential role in the maintenance of Epstein-Barr virus genome copy number within the host cell by promoting EBNA1/oriP-dependent binding and transcription. Participates also in the inhibition of lytic EBV reactivation by modulating viral BZLF1 activity.