With a similar structure to α-KG, fumarate, succinate, and 2-HG could competitively inhibit the enzymatic activity of TETs.69 Recently, we revealed that EBV-LMP1 promotes the accumulation of fumarate and 2-HG, and the reduction of α-KG, which consequently leads to the inactivation of TETs.70,71 Moreover, 2-HG could also regulate DNMT1 activity by enhancing its binding to selected DNA regions.72 EBV infection might tip the balance in DNA methylation-demethylation dynamics (Fig. 1). This evidence concerns the gene PDLIM7 and Epstein-Barr virus infection.