The E7 protein of the cottontail rabbit papillomavirus immortalizes normal rabbit keratinocytes and reduces pRb levels, while E6 cooperates in immortalization but neither degrades p53 nor binds E6AP

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) cause cervical cancer and are associated with the development of non-melanoma skin cancer. A suitable animal model for papillomavirus-associated skin carcinogenesis is the infection of domestic rabbits with the cottontail rabbit papillomavirus (CRPV). As the immortalizing activity of CRPV genes in the natural target cells remains unknown, we investigated the properties of CRPV E6 and E7 in rabbit keratinocytes (RK) and their influence on the cell cycle. Interestingly, CRPV E7 immortalized RK after a cellular crisis but showed no such activity in human keratinocytes. Co-expressed CRPV E6 prevented cellular crisis. The HPV16 or CRPV E7 protein reduced rabbit pRb levels thereby causing rabbit p19(ARF) induction and accumulation of p53 without affecting cellular proliferation. Both CRPV E6 proteins failed to degrade rabbit p53 in vitro or to bind E6AP; however, p53 was still inducible by mitomycin C. In summary, CRPV E7 immortalizes rabbit keratinocytes in a species-specific manner and E6 contributes to immortalization without directly affecting p53.     

pcDNA3/HPV16 E6真核表达质粒的构建及裸DNA注射动物实验观察

目的探讨ＨＰＶ１６Ｅ６基因ＤＮＡ诱发体液和细胞免疫反应的能力。方法利用基因工程技术构建了ＨＰＶ１６Ｅ６真核表达质粒ｐｃＤＮＡ３／Ｅ６，脂质体法转染Ｃｏｓ７细胞，肌肉注射免疫ＢＡＬＢ／ｃ小鼠，免疫组化技术检测抗体产生及抗原表达。结果被转染的Ｃｏｓ７细胞表达ＨＰＶ１６Ｅ６蛋白免疫小鼠产生抗ＨＰＶ１６Ｅ６抗体。结论这一结果为ＨＰＶ１６相关宫颈癌治疗性ＤＮＡ疫苗的研制提供了资料。     

Stabilization of HPV16 E6 protein by PDZ proteins, and potential implications for genome maintenance

The E6 protein from high-risk human papillomaviruses appears necessary for persistence of viral episomes in cells but the underlying mechanism is unclear. E6 has many activities, including its ability to bind and degrade PDZ domain-containing proteins, such as hScrib. However little is known about the role of these interactions for E6 function and the viral life cycle. We now show that the levels of expression of wild-type E6 are increased in the presence of hScrib whilst a mutant E6 protein lacking the PDZ-binding motif is found at lower levels as it is turned over more rapidly by the proteasome. This correlates with an inability of genomes containing this mutation to be maintained as episomes. These results show that E6 association with certain PDZ domain-containing proteins can stabilize the levels of E6 expression and provides one explanation as to how the PDZ-binding capacity of E6 might contribute to genome episomal maintenance.     

HPV16 E6 natural variants exhibit different activities in functional assays relevant to the carcinogenic potential of E6

Genetic studies have revealed natural amino acid variations within the human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 E6 oncoprotein. To address the functional significance of E6 polymorphisms, 10 HPV16 E6 variants isolated from cervical lesions of Swedish women were evaluated for their activities in different in vitro and in vivo assays relevant to the carcinogenic potential of E6. Small differences between E6 prototype and variants, and among variants, were observed in transient expression assays that assessed p53 degradation, Bax degradation, and inhibition of p53 transactivation. More variable levels of activities were exhibited by the E6 proteins in assays that evaluated binding to the E6-binding protein (E6BP) or the human discs large protein (hDlg). The E6 prototype expressed moderate to high activity in the above assays. The L83V polymorphism, previously associated with risk for cancer progression in some populations, expressed similar levels of activity as that of the E6 prototype in most functional assays. On the other hand, L83V displayed more efficient degradation of Bax and binding to E6BP, but lower binding to hDlg. Results of this study indicate that naturally occurring amino acid variations in HPV16 E6 can alter activities of the protein important for its carcinogenic potential.     

High levels of p105 (NFKB1) and p100 (NFKB2) proteins in HPV16-transformed keratinocytes: role of E6 and E7 oncoproteins

We have previously shown that functional components of the NF-kappaB signaling pathway are up-regulated and sequestered in the cytoplasm of human papillomavirus 16 (HPV16)-transformed cell lines leading to a reduced activity of NF-kappaB. In this study, we examined the expression of the NF-kappaB precursors p100 and p105 in keratinocytes transformed or not by HPV16. Western immunoblotting experiments demonstrated high levels of p100 and p105 proteins not only in HPV16+ cervical carcinoma-derived keratinocytes but also in keratinocytes stably transfected by HPV16 E6 or E7 oncogenes. Moreover, p100 and p105 proteins were predominantly cytoplasmic and nuclear in keratinocytes expressing E7 and E6, respectively. A predominantly cytoplasmic localization of E7 protein was also detected in all keratinocytes expressing E7. Our results suggest that HPV16 E6 and E7 proteins modulate the expression and the subcellular localization of p100 and p105 NF-kappaB precursors.     

Activities of human papillomavirus 16 E6 natural variants in human keratinocytes

Genetic variations in the E6 oncogene have been associated with different risk for cancer progression. In the present study, the functional significance of human papillomavirus (HPV) polymorphism in the E6 oncogene was investigated. Ten HPV16 E6 variants containing amino acid substitutions in the N-terminal region of E6 were evaluated for different biological and biochemical activities in human keratinocytes, the target cells for HPV infection. Western blot analyses of primary foreskin human keratinocytes or immortalized human keratinocytes, stably transduced with the E6 variants, revealed reduced p53 and Bax levels in all E6 expressing cultures. The reduction induced by most E6 proteins was at similar levels and comparable to the reduction induced by the E6 prototype. The ability of the proteins to induce serum/calcium-differentiation resistant colonies in primary keratinocytes was more variable. Overall activities of the variants ranged between 0.24- and 2.18-fold of the E6 prototype activity. The I27R/L83V variant showed the lowest activity whereas the R8Q variant showed the highest activity. The L83V polymorphism previously associated with risk for cancer progression in some populations, showed significant activity, comparable to that of the E6 prototype, in reducing p53 and Bax levels. Furthermore, this variant showed enhancement in the ability to induce colonies resistant to serum/calcium-triggered differentiation, however, the difference from the prototype was not statistically significant. This, and augmentation of other described functions might result in differences in L83V pathogenicity.     

Involvement of a cellular ubiquitin-protein ligase E6AP in the ubiquitin-mediated degradation of extensive substrates of high-risk human papillomavirus E6

Human scribble (hScrib), which was identified as substrate of human papillomavirus (HPV) E6 for ubiquitin-mediated degradation dependent on ubiquitin-protein ligase E6AP, is a human homolog of Drosophila neoplastic tumor suppressor scribble, in which mutation causes loss of polarity and overgrowth of epithelia. Drosophila discs large (Dlg) is one of neoplastic tumor suppressors, which genetically links to scribble. E6 also targets human Dlg (hDlg) for ubiquitin-mediated degradation. Ubiquitin-protein ligase involved in this process has not been identified thus far. Here we investigated mechanism underlying degradation of three target proteins of E6, hScrib, hDlg, and p53 by using eighteen HPV 16 E6 mutants with single amino acid substitution. In vitro degradation ability of each E6 mutant was equivalent for these tumor suppressors. We investigated whether E6AP is involved in ubiquitin-mediated degradation of hDlg. In vitro binding assay revealed that hDlg formed ternary complex with E6-E6AP complex. The ability of E6 mutants to degrade these tumor suppressors was correlated with their ability to interact with E6AP. Furthermore, hDlg was targeted for in vitro ubiquitination in the presence of both E6 and E6AP. These data revealed that E6AP is extensively involved in the ubiquitin-mediated degradation of E6-dependent substrates as a cellular E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase.     

Effectiveness of HPV 16 viral load and the E2/E6 ratio for the prediction of cervical cancer risk among Chinese women

The effectiveness of the E2/E6 ratio, the state of viral genome integration and the viral load of human papillomavirus 16 (HPV 16) in predicting the risk of cervical cancer among Chinese women was investigated. Quantitative PCRs for the E2/E6 ratio and the viral load were performed on 85 cervical cancer samples and 55 HPV 16 positive healthy controls. The integrated form of the viral genome was found in 10.9% control samples and in 26.4% cervical cancer samples (P = 0.02). The majority of the cervical cancer (63.2%) and control samples (60%) were mixed forms. The E2/E6 ratio was associated with a high risk of cervical cancer (OR = 7.29, P = 9.55E?6). The integrated form (OR = 6.54, P = 0.005) and mixed form (OR = 2.93, P = 0.042) increased the risk of cervical cancer. The mean viral load in cervical cancer samples (37,371 ± 227,135) was higher than that in the controls (4,619 ± 27,079; P = 0.011). Additionally, the viral load increased along with the cervical cancer progression from the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage I (12,337 ± 25,604) to stage II (67,453 ± 319,821). Compared with the state of viral genome integration (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) = 0.743) or the viral load (AUC = 0.694), the E2/E6 ratio improved the effectiveness of the risk prediction of cervical cancer (AUC = 0.777), with the sensitivity (specificity) 81.2% (71.7%). The state of viral genome integration and the viral load of HPV 16 were important factors for the risk prediction of cervical cancer among Chinese women, and the E2/E6 ratio had a better cervical cancer risk prediction with age adjustment. J. Med. Virol. 85:646–654, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

湖北襄阳地区女性宫颈高危型HPV感染分布情况及危险因素探讨

目的 分析高危型人乳头瘤病毒(human papillomaviruses,HPV)在湖北襄阳地区妇女中的感染率及感染年龄分布情况,以及危险因素.方法 以2012-2014年间在本院就诊的4689例患者为研究对象,采用cervista酶切信号放大法检测14种高危型的HPV.其中感染高危型HPV阳性病例则进一步分析HPV感染年龄分布情况以及其在子宫颈上皮非典型增生(CIN)、宫颈癌、宫颈炎患者中的感染情况,并结合病例资料分析HPV感染危险因素.结果 4689例患者中有950例感染高危型HPV,感染率为20.26％.HPV在宫颈癌患者中的感染率最高,其次为CIN,宫颈癌相较于其他两类患者感染率对比差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).HPV以≥55岁者的感染率最高.初次性行为年龄过早、宫颈癌家族史、多产史、经常熬夜等均是HPV感染的影响因素.结论 湖北襄阳地区HPV感染率与LARC国际癌症研究协会公布的亚洲常见HPV感染率一致.在不同年龄段中,感染率最高的年龄组为55岁以上及25岁以下,宫颈癌、CIN患者HPV感染率较高,而经常熬夜、有宫颈癌家族史、初次性行为年龄过早等因素属于HPV感染危险因素.     

Isolation and functional analysis of five HPVE6 variants with respect to p53 degradation

Persistent infection with high risk human papillomavirus is a necessary risk factor in the etiology of invasive cervical carcinoma. With regard to molecular details, the best studied types are HPV16 and HPV18 which are found in 70% of cervical cancer worldwide, however factors associated with the progression of individual cervical intraepithelial neoplasias into cancer are still poorly understood. Intratype amino acid variations in the immortalizing and transforming early proteins E6 and E7 were described to be associated with progressive disease and linked to increased viral persistence or progression. One of the key actions of high risk HPVE6 proteins is the inhibition of the function of p53, a tumor suppressor protein, by enhancing its degradation through the ubiquitin pathway. In this study, variants of five HPV type E6 proteins (HPV35, 53, 56, 66, and 70) isolated from patient materials are described and functional analysis of them were done with respect to p53 degradation. Interestingly the E6 protein of HPV type 53, which has no consistent risk classification in the literature showed the highest variability in our study. The analysis of all variants revealed no differences with regard to the degradation ability for p53 compared to the prototype E6 proteins, suggesting that the variants tested revealed no altered functions related to the carcinogenicity of the respective HPV types. It therefore seems more likely that variations in the E6 gene sequence may allow evasion from the hosts immune system, supporting increased viral persistence.     

Analysis of the roles of E6 binding to E6TP1 and nuclear localization in the human papillomavirus type 31 life cycle

The E6 oncoproteins of high-risk human papillomaviruses provide important functions not only for malignant transformation but also in the productive viral life cycle. E6 proteins have been shown to bind to a number of cellular factors, but only a limited number of analyses have investigated the effects of these interactions on the viral life cycle. In this study, we investigated the consequences of HPV 31 E6 binding to E6TP1, a putative Rap1 GAP protein. HPV 16 E6 has been shown to bind as well as induce the rapid turnover of E6TP1, and similar effects were observed with HPV 31 E6. Mutation of amino acid 128 in HPV 31 E6 was found to abrogate the ability to bind and degrade E6TP1 but did not alter binding to another alpha-helical domain protein, E6AP. When HPV 31 genomes containing mutations at amino acid 128 were transfected into human keratinocytes, the viral DNAs were not stably maintained as episomes indicating the importance of this residue for pathogenesis. Many E6 binding partners including E6TP1 are cytoplasmic proteins, but E6 has been also reported to be localized to the nucleus. We therefore investigated the importance of E6 localization to the nucleus in the viral life cycle. Using a fusion of E6 to Green Fluorescent Protein, we mapped one component of the nuclear localization sequences to residues 121 to 124 of HPV 31 E6. Mutation of these residues in the context of the HPV 31 genome abrogated the ability for episomes to be stably maintained and impaired the ability to extend the life span of cells. These studies identify two activities of HPV 31 E6 that are important for its function in the viral life cycle and for extension of cell life span.     

siRNA抑制HPV18 E6基因及其对HeLa细胞凋亡的影响

目的研究特异小干扰RNA(sm all interfering RNA,siRNA)对宫颈癌HeLa细胞中人乳头瘤病毒(hum an pap-illom avirus,HPV)18型E6基因的抑制及其对细胞凋亡的影响。方法针对HPV18E6基因设计siRNA序列,经PCR方法体外扩增,得到含有U6启动子以及siRNA序列的PCR产物,利用L ipofectam ineTM2000脂质体转染HeLa细胞,在U6启动子的作用下于细胞内转录siRNA。针对转染后不同时间点采用四唑盐(MTT)比色法测定细胞活力,流式细胞仪PI染色法检测细胞凋亡率,RT-PCR测定HPV18E6 mRNA变化。结果转染siRNA后细胞活力受到显著抑制(P<0.05),光镜下出现明显的凋亡形态,72 h的凋亡率达到55.8%。RT-PCR结果显示,细胞转染24、48和72 h后HPV18E6 mRNA分别减少了57%、78%和40%,而siRNA阴性对照与未转染细胞相比差异不显著。结论siRNA可特异有效的干扰宫颈癌HeLa细胞内HPV18E6基因的表达,从而可诱导肿瘤细胞凋亡。     

HPV18 E6 siRNA对宫颈癌细胞增殖及化疗药物敏感性的影响

目的探讨HPV18 E6siRNA联合紫杉醇应用对宫颈癌细胞生长的影响。方法用RNAi抑制HeLa细胞中HPV18 E6蛋白的表达。Western blot检测E6、P53和P21的蛋白表达量,MTT法检测细胞的增殖活性及细胞对紫杉醇的敏感性。结果抑制HPV18 E6的表达后,P53和P21的表达量均显著升高,HeLa细胞的生长受到抑制(P<0.01)。加入紫杉醇后,细胞增殖速度较对照组明显降低(P<0.01)。结论HPV18 E6siRNA可有效沉默HeLa细胞中E6基因的表达,抑制细胞增殖,并提高细胞对化疗药物的敏感性。