Inhibitory effects of monoacylated 2-O-β-galactosylglycerols on Epstein–Barr virus activation: the significant role of the hexanoyl chain

Three series of monoacyl-2-O-β-d-galactosylglycerols bearing an acyl chain of varying length, from C4 to C10, were studied due to their antitumor promoting effects on the activation of the Epstein–Barr virus early antigen (EBV-EA), such activation being induced by the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). This study indicates that it is more the length of the acyl chain that is important for the activity, six carbon atoms resulting in maximum effect, rather than the position of the ester function and the nature of the sugar (galactose or glucose).