Oncogenic human papillomavirus E6 proteins target the discs large tumour suppressor for proteasome-mediated degradation.

Previous studies have shown that the oncogenic HPV E6 proteins form a complex with the human homologue of the Drosophila tumour suppressor protein, discs large (Dlg). This is mediated by the carboxy terminus of the E6 proteins and involves recognition of at least one PDZ domain of Dlg. This region of E6 is not conserved amongst E6 proteins from the low risk papillomavirus types and, hence, binding of HPV E6 proteins to Dlg correlates with the oncogenic potential of these viruses. We have performed studies to investigate the consequences of the interaction between E6 and Dlg. Mutational analysis of both the HPV18 E6 and Dlg proteins has further defined the regions of E6 and Dlg necessary for complex formation. Strikingly, co-expression of wild type HPV18 E6 with Dlg in vitro or in vivo results in a dramatic decrease in the amount of Dlg protein, whereas mutants of E6 which fail to complex with Dlg have minimal effect on Dlg protein levels. The oncogenic HPV16 E6 also decreased the Dlg levels, but this was not observed with the low risk HPV11 E6 protein. Moreover, a region within the first 544 amino acids of Dlg containing the three PDZ domains confers susceptibility to E6 mediated degradation. Finally, treatment of cells with a proteasome inhibitor overrides the capacity of E6 to degrade Dlg. These results demonstrate that Dlg is targeted by high risk HPV E6 proteins for proteasome mediated degradation.     

Interactions of the PDZ-protein MAGI-1 with adenovirus E4-ORF1 and high-risk papillomavirus E6 oncoproteins

The oncoproteins of small DNA tumor viruses promote tumorigenesis by complexing with cellular factors intimately involved in the control of cell proliferation. The major oncogenic determinants for human adenovirus type 9 (Ad9) and high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPV) are the E4-ORF1 and E6 proteins, respectively. These seemingly unrelated viral oncoproteins are similar in that their transforming activities in cells depend, in part, on a carboxyl-terminal PDZ domain-binding motif which mediates interactions with the cellular PDZ-protein DLG. Here we demonstrated that both Ad9 E4-ORF1 and high-risk HPV E6 proteins also bind to the DLG-related PDZ-protein MAGI-1. These interactions resulted in MAGI-1 being aberrantly sequestered in the cytoplasm by the Ad9 E4-ORF1 protein or being targeted for degradation by high-risk HPV E6 proteins. Transformation-defective mutant viral proteins, however, were deficient for these activities. Our findings indicate that MAGI-1 is a member of a select group of cellular PDZ proteins targeted by both adenovirus E4-ORF1 and high-risk HPV E6 proteins and, in addition, suggest that the tumorigenic potentials of these viral oncoproteins depend, in part, on an ability to inhibit the function of MAGI-1 in cells.     

Interference of proteins involved in the cytoplasmic sequestration of p53 with human papillomavirus E6-mediated degradation

The oncogenic human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are able to efficiently target p53 for degradation by the ubiquitin pathway. We previously demonstrated inefficient HPV E6-mediated degradation and resulting high steady-state levels of p53 in cell hybrids between a peripheral neuroepithelioma cell line and a cervical carcinoma cell line (HeLa). We now show that the p53 protein in these cell hybrids was cytoplasmically sequestered and exhibited sporadic punctate staining, which is characteristic of the p53 expression pattern observed in neuroblastic neuroblastoma (NB) cell lines, in which p53 is also sequestered. We hypothesized that the cytoplasmic sequestration of p53 in the cell hybrids might correlate with its inability to be rapidly degraded by HPV E6. Using NB cell lines as a model system to test this hypothesis, we demonstrated that the introduction of HPV E6 into two NB cell lines resulted in p53 insensitivity to HPV E6-mediated degradation. This was assessed by both pulse-chase analysis of p53 in metabolically labeled NB cells and western blotting. The enhanced stability of p53 was not due to a lack of HPV E6 expression or to a mutant conformation of the p53 protein. Our results therefore suggest that proteins involved in the cytoplasmic sequestration of p53 may also interfere with the ability of HPV E6 to target p53 for degradation.     

Ubiquitin-independent degradation of p53 mediated by high-risk human papillomavirus protein E6

In vitro, high-risk human papillomavirus E6 proteins have been shown, in conjunction with E6-associated protein (E6AP), to mediate ubiquitination of p53 and its degradation by the 26S proteasome by a pathway that is thought to be analogous to Mdm2-mediated p53 degradation. However, differences in the requirements of E6/E6AP and Mdm2 to promote the degradation of p53, both in vivo and in vitro, suggest that these two E3 ligases may promote p53 degradation by distinct pathways. Using tools that disrupt ubiquitination and degradation, clear differences between E6- and Mdm2-mediated p53 degradation are presented. The consistent failure to fully protect p53 protein from E6-mediated degradation by disrupting the ubiquitin-degradation pathway provides the first evidence of an E6-dependent, ubiquitin-independent, p53 degradation pathway in vivo.     

Human papillomavirus type 16 E6 and E7 cause polyploidy in human keratinocytes and up-regulation of G2-M-phase proteins

Human papillomavirus type 16 proteins E6 and E7 have been shown to cause centrosome amplification and lagging chromosomes during mitosis. These abnormalities during mitosis can result in missegregation of the chromosomes, leading to chromosomal instability. Genomic instability is thought to be an essential part of the conversion of a normal cell to a cancer cell. We now show that E6 and E7 together cause polyploidy in primary human keratinocytes soon after these genes are introduced into the cells. Polyploidy seems to result from a spindle checkpoint failure arising from abrogation of the normal functions of p53 and retinoblastoma family members by E6 and E7, respectively. In addition, E6 and E7 cause deregulation of cellular genes such as Plk1, Aurora-A, cdk1, and Nek2, which are known to control the G(2)-M-phase transition and the ordered progression through mitosis.     

Association of the antibodies against human papillomavirus 16 E4 and E7 proteins with cervical cancer positive for human papillomavirus DNA

Occurrence of the antibodies against human papillomavirus (HPV) 16 proteins E4 and E7 is specifically but independently associated with cervical cancer. To correlate HPV DNA and antibody data, we examined the biopsy specimens and sera, by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and by ELISA, respectively, from 51 patients with cervical cancer (including 3 recurrent cases) and 22 with cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia. Consensus primers for the LI region were used for PCR and bacterially expressed, purified fusion protein HPV-16 E4 and non-fusion protein HPV-16 E7 were used for ELISA. HPV-16 DNA and other HPV types were detected in 17 and 25, respectively, out of 51 cases of cervical cancer. Ten out of the 17 HPV- 16-DNA- positives were positive either for anti-E4 or for anti-E7: positivities for anti-E4, for anti-E7, and for both were 6/17, 5/17 and 1/17 respectively. Three anti-E7-positives consisted of those for HPV-33, -52 and -58 DNA, suggesting that limited cross-reaction occurred between the HPV types. Among the HPV- 16-DNA-positive cases of cancer, lymph-node or distant metastasis was recorded more frequently in the seropositives than in the seronegatives. Our results show that the HPV-16 anti-E4 or anti-E7 occurs in some, but not in all, of the HPV-16-DNA-positive cases, and support the hypothesis that the presence of the HPV-16 antibodies can be used as a marker for possible metastasis.     

Dispensability of p53 degradation for tumorigenicity and decreased serum requirement of human papillomavirus type 16 E6

Certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV), such as types 16 and 18, are etiological agents for carcinogenesis of the uterine cervix. These HPVs have two oncogenes, E6 and E7, that have transforming activities in established murine cells. Tumorigenicity and decreased serum requirement for cell growth are conferred by the E6 gene, whereas anchorage-independent growth is mainly governed by the E7 gene. To understand the mechanism of cellular transformation by the HPV16 E6 gene, we examined three mutant E6 proteins defective for p53 binding, p53 degradation, or transactivation of the adenovirus E2 promoter for the ability to induce tumorigenicity and decreased serum requirement. The results showed that tumorigenicity and decreased serum requirement were associated with the ability of E6 to bind to p53, although the subsequent degradation of p53 was not required for these functions. Mol. Carcinog. 21:215–222, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Differential regulation of human papillomavirus E6 by protein kinase A: conditional degradation of human discs large protein by oncogenic E6

The protein Kinase A (PKA) pathway was found to selectively regulate the function of oncogenic but not non-oncogenic E6 proteins. High risk E6 proteins are phosphorylated at their Dlg/PDZ binding motif at the C-terminus by a PKA like activity. This PKA and PDZ binding module is found only for human PV, is strictly conserved in all the transforming HPVs and is absent in all the low risk HPV types. We present evidence of a conditional regulation of E6 induced degradation of Dlg. HPV18E6 positive but not HPV negative keratinocytes exhibit increased Dlg steady state levels under conditions of high PKA activity, with a concomitant increase in the presence of Dlg at tight junctions. In vitro binding experiments show that E6 phosphorylation by PKA reduces its binding to Dlg and molecular modelling can explain this observation in a structural context. E6 dependent degradation of Dlg in cells with high PKA levels is inhibited and this is dependent on phosphorylation of the PDZ binding site in E6. In contrast, the degradation of p53 induced by E6 is not affected by PKA. We propose a differential regulation of E6 for the ubiquitin mediated degradation of specific E6 target proteins.     

The human papillomavirus E6 and E7 inducible oncogene, hWAPL, exhibits potential as a therapeutic target

Here we show that human papillomavirus (HPV) E6 and E7 oncoproteins induce hWAPL expression. In addition, small interfering RNA (siRNA) of hWAPL suppressed the growth of tumours derived from SiHa cells in nude mice. Thus, hWAPL may be one of the effective targets of uterine cervical cancer therapy.     

Human papillomavirus E6-induced degradation of E6TP1 is mediated by E6AP ubiquitin ligase

High-risk human papilloma viruses are known to be associated with cervical cancers. We have reported previously that the high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) E6 oncoprotein interacts with E6TP1, a novel Rap GTPase-activating protein (RapGAP). Similar to p53 tumor suppressor protein, the high-risk HPV E6 oncoproteins target E6TP1 for degradation. The HPV16 E6-induced degradation of E6TP1 strongly correlates with its ability to immortalize human mammary epithelial cells. In this study, we used treatment with a proteasome inhibitor MG132, analysis in CHO-ts20 cells with a thermolabile ubiquitin-activating enzyme, and direct detection of ubiquitin-modified E6TP1 to demonstrate that E6TP1 is targeted for degradation by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway both in the presence and in the absence of E6. Using deletion mutants of E6TP1, we mapped the region required and sufficient for E6 binding to COOH-terminal 40 amino acid residues and showed this region to be necessary for E6-dependent degradation of E6TP1. Furthermore, the E6-binding region of E6TP1 complexes with E6AP via E6. Importantly, the purified E6AP enhanced the ubiquitination and degradation of E6TP1 in the presence of E6 in vitro. Additionally, the expression of a dominant-negative E6AP mutant (C833A) in cells inhibited the E6-induced degradation of E6TP1. These findings demonstrate that the E6-induced decrease in the levels of E6TP1 protein involves the E6AP-mediated ubiquitination followed by proteasome-dependent degradation.     

KAI1蛋白与人乳头状瘤病毒E6、E7蛋白在子宫颈癌组织中的表达及其意义

目的 探讨高危型人乳头状瘤病毒（HPV）感染和肿瘤转移抑制蛋白KAIl在子宫颈癌形成及进展中的意义.方法 对117例石蜡包埋子宫颈组织[正常对照20例、子宫颈上皮内瘤样病变（CIN）58例、子宫颈癌39例]采用免疫组织化学SP法检测KAI1蛋白、HPV16/18E6、HPV16E7蛋白的表达情况.结果 在正常子宫颈组织、CIN和子宫颈癌组织中,KAII阳性表达率分别为90.0％（18/20）、72.4％（42/58）、25.6％（10/39）,呈下降趋势,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.01）. HPVI6/18E6阳性表达率分别为0（0/20）、31.0％（18/58）、41.0％（16/39）,差异有统计学意义（P＜ 0.01）;HPV16E7阳性表达率分别为0（0/20）、34.5％（20/58）、64.1％（25/39）,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.01）.但KAI1与HPV16/18E6、HPV16E7阳性表达间无相关性（P=0.429）.KAI1蛋白在子宫颈癌中的阳性表达率与细胞分化程度、临床分期、淋巴结转移有关（均P＜ 0.05）,与发病年龄无关（P＞0.05）;HPV感染与子宫颈癌发病年龄、临床分期、细胞分化程度、淋巴结转移均无关（均P＞ 0.05）.结论 KAI1蛋白在子宫颈癌中的表达下调,HPV16/18E6、HPV16E7感染与KAI1蛋白表达无关.     

Apicidin down-regulates human papillomavirus type 16 E6 and E7 transcripts and proteins in SiHa cervical cancer cells

Virtually all cervical cancer morbidities are associated with genital skin or mucosa cell infection with human papillomavirus (HPV). The HPV oncogenic proteins E6 and E7 are able to inactivate p53 and Rb proteins, which results in malignant transformation.     

The DNA repair protein,O(6)-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase is a proteolytic target for the E6 human papillomavirus oncoprotein

We have previously shown that O(6)-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT), a DNA repair protein that protects tissues against toxic and carcinogenic effects of alkylating agents, is degraded through ubiquitination-dependent proteolysis. Here, we investigated the role of the human papillomavirus (HPV) E6 protein in MGMT degradation. In three pairs of isogenic human tumor cell lines in which a member of each pair expressed the E6 protein through stable transfection (HCT116/HCT116-E6, MCF7/MCF7-E6, and RKO/RKO-E6), we found a consistent 40-55% reduction in the MGMT protein level and its activity in all E6-expressing cells compared with the parent cells (P=<0.05). E6 expression did not, however, alter the levels of MGMT mRNA. Addition of the recombinant MGMT (rMGMT) protein to extracts of HCT116/E6 cells resulted in the binding of E6 to MGMT. Further, the purified E6 protein promoted the degradation of rMGMT in rabbit reticulocyte lysates. Immunoprecipitation assays showed the presence of a ternary protein complex between MGMT, E6, and the cellular ubiquitin-ligase E6-associated protein (E6-AP). Transient transfection of the p53-null H1299 lung tumor cells with an E6 construct also down-regulated the MGMT. The MGMT protein also showed structural features that are compatible for interaction with the E6, and E6-AP components. Collectively, these data suggest that the oncogenic E6 proteins enhance the ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis of MGMT.     

Chimaeric HPV E6 proteins allow dissection of the proteolytic pathways regulating different E6 cellular target proteins

The ability of HPV E6 oncoproteins to induce the degradation of PDZ domain-containing MAGUK proteins correlates with their malignant potential. We previously showed that the HPV-6 E6 protein, when provided with the PDZ-binding domain from HPV-18 E6, acquires the ability to bind the Discs Large (Dlg) tumour suppressor and target it for degradation. Based on this finding we have extended this analysis to E6 proteins from a variety of different papillomavirus types. Cloning a PDZ-binding sequence onto the C-terminus of E6 proteins derived from low-risk mucosal, and low and high-risk cutaneous papillomavirus types, enables them to bind Dlg and a second MAGUK family member, MAGI-1. This renders the mucosally-derived low-risk chimaeric HPV E6 proteins capable of targeting Dlg for degradation, but they are unable to induce significant levels of degradation of MAGI-1. In contrast, none of the E6 proteins derived from cutaneous papillomavirus types induce significant degradation of either MAGI-1 or Dlg when provided with a PDZ-binding domain. These results demonstrate significant differences, both between mucosal and cutaneous HPV E6 proteins and in the pathways required for Dlg and MAGI-1 degradation.     

高危型人乳头瘤病毒癌基因E6和E7调节细胞作用靶点的研究进展

高危型人乳头瘤病毒(human papillomavirus,HPV)的感染与多种人类癌症密切相关,其中最典型的是宫颈癌.高危型HPV最重要的两个病毒癌基因为E6和E7,病毒基因组整合到宿主基因组是病毒癌基因E6和E7实现持续表达的一种方式.HPV癌基因E6和E7能够靶向宿主细胞途径,通过这些相互作用,导致HPV发挥其...     

The role of human papillomavirus oncoproteins E6 and E7 in apoptosis

The oncogenic potential of 'high risk' human papillomaviruses can be mainly attributed to two small proteins called E6 and E7. Even these oncoproteins have a low molecular size, they are highly promiscuous and are capable to interact with a whole variety of host cellular regulator proteins to elicit cellular immortalization and ultimately complete malignant transformation. To avoid reiterations in summarizing the biochemical and molecular biological properties of E6/E7 in terms of their influence on cell cycle control, the present review is mainly an attempt to describe some regulatory principles by which human papillomavirus (HPV) oncoproteins can interfere with apoptosis in order to escape immunological surveillance during progression to cervical cancer. The models derived from these basic cellular and molecular studies are relevant to our understanding of HPV-induced carcinogenesis. Conversely, experimental procedures aimed at relieving apoptosis resistance, can facilitate the eradication of immunologically suspicious cells and may prevent the accumulation of cervical intraepithelial cell abnormalities in future prophylactic or therapeutic approaches.     

DNA vaccines against the human papillomavirus type 16 E6 or E7 oncoproteins

DNA vaccines expressing the E6 or E7 oncoproteins of human papilloma virus type 16 (HPV-16) in either their wild-type form or fused to sequences that affect intracellular trafficking were tested for induction of protective immunity against tumor cell challenge in two models based on BALB/c and C57Bl/6 mice. The DNA vaccines to E7 gave uniformly disappointing results, while the DNA vaccine that expressed E6 linked to a viral leader sequence protected BALB/c mice against tumor cell challenge given before or after vaccination. The efficacy of this vaccine could be enhanced by a DNA vector prime/viral vector boost regimen. In contrast, priming of mice with the DNA vaccines to E7 reduced the efficacy of a viral vector expressing the same antigen.     

E6 protein of human papillomavirus type 18 binds zinc

The E6 open reading frames of human and animal papillomaviruses encode a transforming protein containing a conserved pattern of repeating cysteine doublets (cys-x-x-cys) similar to that found in steroid receptor zinc finger proteins. The spacing between the cysteine doublets, however, is twice as long as in any other zinc finger protein. To demonstrate that an E6 protein could indeed bind zinc, we synthesized the human papillomavirus type 18 E6 protein in insect cells with a baculovirus vector and analysed the protein for zinc-binding activity by a zinc-blot assay. Probing of E6 protein blotted to nitrocellulose from SDS-polyacrylamide gels with radioactive [65Zn]Cl2 demonstrated that it possessed zinc-binding activity. Reduction of cysteines with DTT prior to the addition of zinc greatly increased the zinc-binding activity of blotted E6 protein. Competition experiments showed that Cd2+ and Co2+ were more effective competitors for zinc-binding than Mg2+ or Ca2+, indicating that zinc atoms may be tetrahedrally coordinated in E6-zinc complexes. We mapped zinc-binding protein domains by proteolytic cleavage and demonstrated that a small 4kDa fragment of the protein retained zinc-binding activity, consistent with a model of individual 29 amino acid zinc-binding 'fingers'.     

E2F3 is the main target gene of the 6p22 amplicon with high specificity for human bladder cancer

Amplification of 6p22 occurs in about 10-20% of bladder cancers and is associated with enhanced tumour cell proliferation. Candidate target genes for the 6p22 amplicon include E2F3 and the adjacent gene NM_017774. To clarify which gene is representing the main target, we compared the prevalence of the amplification and the functional role of both genes. Amplification of E2F3 and NM_017774 was analysed by fluorescence in situ hybridization on a bladder cancer tissue microarray composed of 2317 cancer samples. Both genes showed amplification in 104 of 893 (11.6%) interpretable tumours and were exclusively found co-amplified. Additional gene expression analysis by real-time polymerase chain reaction in 12 tumour-derived cell lines revealed that amplification of 6p22 was always associated with co-overexpression of E2F3 and NM_017774. Furthermore, RNA interference was used to study the influence of reduced gene expression on cell growth. In tumour cells with and without the 6p22 amplicon, knockdown of E2F3 always lead to unequivocal reduction of proliferation, whereas knockdown of NM_017774 was only capable to slow down cell proliferation in non-amplified cells. Our findings point out that E2F3 but not NM_017774 is driving enhanced proliferation of 6p22 amplified tumour cells. We conclude that E2F3 must be responsible for the growth advantage of 6p22 amplified bladder cancer cells.