Early protein packaged into virion cores. May play a role in the biogenesis of the viral factories by recruiting and wrapping these DNA replication sites in endoplasmic reticulum derived membranes. Later in infection, phosphorylation of E8R by the late viral kinase F10L might decrease E8R DNA-binding ability and trigger ER membranes disassembly. Binds DNA in vitro (By similarity). Localizes to the inside membrane of cytoplasmic virus factories. Component of the core of mature virions (MV) (By similarity). Expressed in the early phase of the viral replicative cycle. Phosphorylated by F10L kinase in vitro. Belongs to the chordopoxvirinae E8 family.