The nuclear localization of low risk HPV11 E7 protein mediated by its zinc binding domain is independent of nuclear import receptors

We investigated the nuclear import of low risk HPV11 E7 protein using 1) transfection assays in HeLa cells with EGFP fusion plasmids containing 11E7 and its domains and 2) nuclear import assays in digitonin-permeabilized HeLa cells with GST fusion proteins containing 11E7 and its domains. The EGFP-11E7 and EGFP-11cE7_39-98 localized mostly to the nucleus. The GST-11E7 and GST-11cE7_39-98 were imported into the nuclei in the presence of either Ran-GDP or RanG19V-GTP mutant and in the absence of nuclear import receptors. This suggests that 11E7 enters the nucleus via a Ran-dependent pathway, independent of nuclear import receptors, mediated by a nuclear localization signal located in its C-terminal domain (cNLS). This cNLS contains the zinc binding domain consisting of two copies of Cys-X-X-Cys motif. Mutagenesis of Cys residues in these motifs changed the localization of the EGFP-11cE7/-11E7 mutants to cytoplasmic, suggesting that the zinc binding domain is essential for nuclear localization of 11E7.     

The high risk HPV16 L2 minor capsid protein has multiple transport signals that mediate its nucleocytoplasmic traffic

In this study we examined the transport signals contributing to HPV16 L2 nucleocytoplasmic traffic using confocal microscopy analysis of enhanced green fluorescent protein—L2 (EGFP-L2) fusions expressed in HeLa cells. We confirmed that both nuclear localization signals (NLSs), the nNLS (1MRHKRSAKRTKR12) and cNLS (456RKRRKR461), previously characterized in vitro (Darshan et al., 2004), function independently in vivo. We discovered that a middle region rich in arginine residues (296SRRTGIRYSRIGNKQTLRTRS316) functions as a nuclear retention sequence (NRS), as mutagenesis of critical arginine residues within this NRS reduced the fraction of L2 in the nucleus despite the presence of both NLSs. Significantly, the infectivity of HPV16 pseudoviruses containing either RR297AA or RR297EE within the L2 NRS was strongly reduced both in HaCaT cells and in a murine challenge model. Experiments using Ratjadone A nuclear export inhibitor and mutation-localization analysis lead to the discovery of a leucine-rich nuclear export signal (₄₆₂LPYFFSDVSL) mediating 16L2 nuclear export. These data indicate that HPV16 L2 nucleocytoplasmic traffic is dependent on multiple functional transport signals.     

Characterization of the nuclear localization signal of high risk HPV16 E2 protein

The E2 protein of high risk human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) contains an amino-terminal (N) domain, a hinge (H) region and a carboxyl-terminal (C) DNA-binding domain. Using enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) fusions with full length E2 and E2 domains in transfection assays in HeLa cells, we found that the C domain is responsible for the nuclear localization of E2 in vivo, whereas the N and H domains do not contain additional nuclear localization signals (NLSs). Deletion analysis of EGFP-E2 and EGFP-cE2 determined that the C domain contains an alpha helix cNLS that overlaps with the DNA-binding region. Mutational analysis revealed that the arginine and lysine residues in this cNLS are essential for nuclear localization of HPV16 E2. Interestingly, these basic amino acid residues are well conserved among the E2 proteins of BPV-1 and some high risk HPV types but not in the low risk HPV types, suggesting that there are differences between the NLSs and corresponding nuclear import pathways between these E2 proteins.     

Nuclear import strategies of high-risk HPV18 L2 minor capsid protein

We have investigated the nuclear import strategies of high-risk HPV18 L2 minor capsid protein. HPV18 L2 interacts with Kap α₂ adapter, and Kap β₂ and Kap β₃ nuclear import receptors. Moreover, binding of RanGTP to either Kap β₂ or Kap β₃ inhibits their interaction with L2, suggesting that these Kap β/L2 complexes are import competent. Mapping studies show that HPV18 L2 contains two NLSs: in the N-terminus (nNLS) and in the C-terminus (cNLS), both of which can independently mediate nuclear import. Both nNLS and cNLS form a complex with Kap α₂β₁ heterodimer and mediate nuclear import via a classical pathway. The nNLS is also essential for the interaction of HPV18 L2 with Kap β₂ and Kap β₃. Interestingly, both nNLS and cNLS interact with the viral DNA and this DNA binding occurs without nucleotide sequence specificity. Together, the data suggest that HPV18 L2 can interact via its NLSs with several Kaps and the viral DNA and may enter the nucleus via multiple import pathways mediated by Kap α₂β₁ heterodimers, Kap β₂ and Kap β₃.     

Identification of a nuclear export signal sequence for bovine papillomavirus E1 protein

Recent studies have demonstrated nuclear export by papillomavirus E1 proteins, but the requisite export sequence(s) for bovine papillomavirus (BPV) E1 were not defined. In this report we identify three functional nuclear export sequences (NES) present in BPV E1, with NES2 being the strongest in reporter assays. Nuclear localization of BPV1 E1 was modulated by over- or under-expression of CRM1, the major cellular exportin, and export was strongly reduced by the CRM1 inhibitor, Leptomycin B, indicating that E1 export occurs primarily through a CRM1-dependent process. Consistent with the in vivo functional results, E1 bound CRM1 in an in vitro pull-down assay. In addition, sumoylated E1 bound CRM1 more effectively than unmodified E1, suggesting that E1 export may be regulated by SUMO modification. Lastly, an E1 NES2 mutant accumulated in the nucleus to a greater extent than wild-type E1, yet was defective for viral origin replication in vivo. However, NES2 exhibited no intrinsic replication defect in an in vitro replication assay, implying that nucleocytoplasmic shuttling may be required to maintain E1 in a replication competent state.     

人乳头瘤病毒16型变异株E7蛋白在HeLa细胞中的表达及亚细胞定位

目的构建增强绿色荧光蛋白(EGFP)-人乳头瘤病毒16型变异株E7(HPV16-HBE7)重组质粒pEGFP-HBE7,研究HPV16-HBE7蛋白亚细胞定位,为进一步了解其生物学功能奠定基础。方法采用分子克隆技术,将HPV16-HBE7基因克隆在pEGFP-C1表达载体上,用脂质体法导入宫颈癌细胞中;West-ern印迹检测HBE7蛋白的表达;同时借助免疫荧光技术和EGFP-融合蛋白技术,采用激光共聚焦显微镜观察HBE7蛋白的亚细胞定位。结果重组质粒经PCR、酶切和测序鉴定,其目的片段大小、插入位点和核苷酸序列完全正确;结果表明,转染细胞HBE7蛋白的相对表达量其胞浆明显多于胞核;各个时间段HBE7蛋白均以胞浆分布为主,绿色荧光密集点状分布于细胞浆内,而野生株E7(WE7)蛋白分布在核内。结论人乳头瘤病毒16型变异株E7蛋白主要分布在细胞浆内,以胞浆为主的分布可能和HBE7基因发生突变后丢失核定位信号有关。     

Nucleolar localization of SmMAK16 protein from Schistosoma mansoni is regulated by three distinct signals that function independent of pH or phosphorylation status

SmMAK16 from the trematode Schistosoma mansoni is a protein that is known to localize in the nucleolus. Recent findings show that SmMAK16 is involved in 60S ribosomal subunit synthesis. Although the SmMAK16 protein contains putative nuclear localization signals (NLS), little is known about their precise function, redundancy or regulation. The goal of the current study was to identify and characterize the presence and functional regulation of the localization signals in SmMAK16. The SmMAK16 coding sequence and specific fragments were individually cloned in-frame into the pEGFP-C2 expression vector to encode Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) fusion proteins. Constructs were individually transfected into COS-7 cells and fluorescent microscopy used to determine the cellular location and thus the presence of signals regulating nuclear and nucleolar localization. SmMAK16 was found to contain two NLSs and one nucleolar localization signal (NoLS). One of the signals contains a sequence identical to an established nucleolar detention signal that reportedly functions only under acidic cellular conditions. The localization of the SmMAK16-GFP constructs was analyzed under acidic conditions; however, altering pH did not influence the localization of SmMAK16. It has been previously reported that casein kinase 2 (CK2) can phosphorylate SmMAK16 at serines adjacent to one of the NLSs. One of these CK2 sites and the adjacent NLS are conserved with that of the SV40 Large T Antigen (LTA) and phosphorylation of this site in the SV40 LTA regulates the kinetics of the NLS. To discover if kinetic regulation also occurs in SmMAK16, mutant and wild type SmMAK16-GFP proteins were purified and injected into individual COS-7 cells. No difference in the rate of transport was found between wt and mutant SmMAK16 proteins. Therefore, SmMAK16 localizes to the nucleolus using three separate signals, two NLSs and one NoLS, however, these signals appear to function independently of pH and phosphorylation by CK2.     

Characterization of nuclear localization and export signals of the major tegument protein VP8 of bovine herpesvirus-1

Bovine herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1) VP8 is found in the nucleus immediately after infection. Transient expression of VP8 fused to yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) in COS-7 cells confirmed the nuclear localization of VP8 in the absence of other viral proteins. VP8 has four putative nuclear localization signals (NLS). Deletion of pat4 ((51)RRPR(54)) or pat7 ((48)PRVRRPR(54)) NLS2 abrogated nuclear accumulation, whereas deletion of (48)PRV(50) did not, so pat4 NLS2 is critical for nuclear localization of VP8. Furthermore, NLS1 ((11)RRPRR(15)), pat4 NLS2, and pat7 NLS2 were all capable of transporting the majority of YFP to the nucleus. Finally, a 12-amino-acid peptide with the sequence RRPRRPRVRRPR directed all of YFP into the nucleus, suggesting that reiteration of the RRPR motif makes the nuclear localization more efficient. Heterokaryon assays demonstrated that VP8 is also capable of shuttling between the nucleus and cytoplasm of the cell. Deletion mutant analysis revealed that this property is attributed to a leucine-rich nuclear export sequence (NES) consisting of amino acids (485)LSAYLTLFVAL(495). This leucine-rich NES caused transport of YFP to the cytoplasm. These results demonstrate that VP8 shuttles between the nucleus and cytoplasm.     

人乳头瘤病毒16型E7核酸疫苗的构建及鉴定

人乳头瘤病毒16 型在引起宫颈上皮转化过程中, 持续表达E7 蛋白, 有可能成为肿瘤特异性移植抗原。本文将E7蛋白的编码基因定向克隆于真核表达载体构建了HPV16E7 HB核酸疫苗, 将该疫苗直接注射BALB/c 小鼠和Wistar 大鼠股四头肌, 动态观察, 28d 后仍能测出E7 DNA 的扩增。提取肌组织RNA, RT PCR检测老鼠特异性E7 的转录情况, 3/3 大鼠,1/10 小鼠为阳性; 用ELISA法在免疫小鼠血清中检出了特异性抗E7 抗体。证明, HPV16E7 HB 核酸疫苗构建正确且能够在哺乳动物体内和体外有效表达     

BS69的亚细胞定位及其核输出信号序列的分析鉴定

目的: 分析腺病毒E1A相关蛋白BS69不同亚型的DNA序列,寻找新的核输出信号序列,并在Cos7细胞中表达确定其亚细胞定位。方法: 分析数据库中不同BS69亚型DNA序列,与传统和输出信号序列比对,寻找可能的新的核输出信号序列。采用DNA重组技术把BS69不同亚型片段的cDNA插入到真核表达载体pcDNA3.1上,转染Cos7细胞,用免疫荧光染色方法确定其亚细胞定位,用Western blotting方法验证不同亚型BS69在细胞中的功能。结果: 在BS69亚型2上面发现1段富含亮氨酸的基因序列,与核输出信号序列极为相似。免疫荧光染色方法显示BS69亚型2定位于细胞浆中,而BS69亚型1和2个亚型共同序列编码的蛋白质则定位于细胞核中。BS69亚型2参与了EB病毒潜伏膜蛋白1(Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein 1,LMP1)介导的信号转导途径。结论: BS69不同亚型具有不同的亚细胞定位,因此具有不同的生物学功能,其中核蛋白是转录调控因子,细胞浆蛋白则可能参与鼻咽癌发生发展的调控。     

广东某地区妇女高危型HPV感染特点及年龄结构分布

目的通过对门诊患者人乳头瘤病毒（HPV）基因型检测,分析本地区高危型HPV感染特点以及年龄构成分布。方法收集了8681例样本,采用导流杂交基因芯片技术进行21种HPV亚型基因型的分型检测。结果HPV总感染率为22．0％,高危型感染率为16．08％,以16亚型最多见（27．42％）,其次是52亚型（21．82％）;高危型HPV感染以单一型为主（78．58％）,多重型感以双重感染多见;不同年龄段的HPV感染率差异有统计学意义（xz=302．88,P〈0．01）,不同年龄的高危型HPV感染率差异亦有统计学意义（x2=321．60,P〈0．01）。结论广东该地区高危型HPV感染率略高,且具有明显的年龄分布异质性,提示预防性疫苗的使用应考虑年龄因素。     

Characterization of the plasma membrane localization and orientation of HPV16 E5 for cell-cell fusion

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a non-enveloped DNA virus with an ∼ 8000 base pair genome. Infection with certain types of HPV is associated with cervical cancer, although the molecular mechanism by which HPV induces carcinogenesis is poorly understood. Three genes encoded by HPV16 are regarded as oncogenic — E5, E6, and E7. The role of E5 has been controversial. Expression of HPV16 E5 causes cell-cell fusion, an event that can lead to increased chromosomal instability, particularly in the presence of cell cycle checkpoint inhibitors like HPV16 E6 and E7. Using biochemical and cell biological assays to better understand HPV16 E5, we find that HPV16 E5 localizes to the plasma membrane with an intracellular amino terminus and an extracellular carboxyl-terminus. Further, HPV16 E5 must be expressed on both cells for cell fusion to occur. When the extracellular epitope of HPV16 E5 is targeted with an antibody, the number of bi-nucleated cells decreases.     

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.     

人乳头瘤病毒16型E2蛋白表达、纯化及抗血清制备

目的 表达人乳头瘤病毒16型(HPV16) E2蛋白,并制备小鼠抗HPV16 E2血清.方法 采用PCR技术扩增HPV16E2基因,构建入pET21b载体,重组表达载体pET21 b-HPV16E2经鉴定后转化大肠埃希菌BL21(DE3),诱导表达并鉴定表达产物.经纯化、变性和复性方法,制备可溶性HPV16 E2蛋白.免疫BALB/c小鼠制备抗血清,检测小鼠IFN-γ、CD4+T细胞、CD8+T细胞、CD4/CD8比值和抗血清滴度变化.结果 酶切和测序结果表明pET21b-HPV16 E2构建成功.表达蛋白相对分子质量(Mr)为42 000,Western blot法证明具有较高特异性.小鼠抗血清效价升高,CD4+T细胞数量和CD4/CD8比值升高,小鼠IFN-γ无升高.结论 成功制备可溶性HPV16 E2蛋白和小鼠抗HPV16 E2高效价的抗血清.     

Identification of nucleolus localization signal of betanodavirus GGNNV protein alpha

Betanodavirus greasy grouper (Epinephelus tauvina) nervous necrosis viruses (GGNNV) protein alpha, a virus capsid protein, was detected in both nucleolus and cytoplasm of infected cells of Asian sea bass (SB) and transfected cells of SB and Cos-7 with pcDNA3.1/RNA2. To study its subcellular localization, ORF of protein alpha with 338 aa was fused with enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) gene and was detected in transfected cells in the absence of other viral proteins. In both SB and Cos-7 cells, protein alpha was found to localize EGFP to the nucleolus and cytoplasm. Deletion mutants of protein alpha indicated that N-terminal 43 amino acid residues were required to import EGFP-alpha protein into the nucleolus. Further deletions within the 43 amino acid backbone, EGFP/33aa(1-33) and EGFP/30aa(14-43), localized to the nucleolus, suggesting that the 20 amino acids from 14 to 33 of protein alpha were the domain of nucleolus localization. To further determine the nucleolus targeting sequence, deletion mutations within the 20 amino acids of protein alpha were constructed. It was found that the deletion of (23)RRR(25), (29)RRR(31), or (23)RRRANNRRR(31) prevented the accumulation of EGFP fusion proteins into the nucleolus, demonstrating that (23)RRRANNRRR(31) contain the signal required for nucleolar localization. A similar distribution pattern of localization of protein alpha and its deletion mutants in SB and Cos-7 cells suggested that N-terminal residues of protein alpha (23)RRRANNRRR(31) constitute a nucleolus localization signal that functions in both fish and mammalian cells.     

正交试验在人乳头瘤病毒16型E2蛋白原核表达优化中的应用

鉴定人乳头瘤病毒(HPV)16型E2蛋白的重组表达菌株,通过正交试验快速优化诱导表达条件,增加目的蛋白的表达量。应用SDS-PAGE及Western blot分析鉴定表达后的蛋白。选取诱导时间、诱导剂浓度、细菌密度OD600和诱导温度共4个主要外部因素。采用四因素两水平正交试验设计,以单位体积内HPV16 E2目的蛋白含量作为检测指标,结果用SPSS 13.0软件进行统计分析。结果表明,HPV16 E2菌株鉴定正确。HPV16 E2蛋白表达主要以不溶性蛋白为主,主要影响因素是诱导剂浓度和诱导温度,最佳诱导条件为37℃、1.0 mmol/L IPTG和OD600为1.0的条件下诱导7 h,正交试验对分子生物学反应的影响因素分析和条件优化有借鉴意义。     

Characterization of the nuclear and nucleolar localization signals of bovine herpesvirus-1 infected cell protein 27

Bovine herpesvirus-1 infected cell protein 27 (BICP27) was detected predominantly in the nucleolus. The open reading frame of BICP27 was fused with the enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (EYFP) gene to investigate its subcellular localization in live cells and BICP27 was able to direct monomeric, dimeric or trimeric EYFP exclusively to the nucleolus. By constructing a series of deletion mutants, the putative nuclear localization signal (NLS) and nucleolar localization signal (NoLS) were mapped to ⁸¹RRAR⁸⁴ and ⁸⁶RPRRPRRRPRRR⁹⁷ respectively. Specific deletion of the putative NLS, NoLS or both abrogated nuclear localization, nucleolar localization or both respectively. Furthermore, NLS was able to direct trimeric EYFP predominantly to the nucleus but excluded from the nucleolus, whereas NoLS targeted trimeric EYFP primarily to the nucleus, and enriched in the nucleolus with faint staining in the cytoplasm. NLS + NoLS directed trimeric EYFP predominantly to the nucleolus with faint staining in the nucleus. Moreover, deletion of NLS + NoLS abolished the transactivating activity of BICP27 on gC promoter, whereas deletion of either NLS or NoLS did not. The study demonstrated that BICP27 is a nucleolar protein, adding BICP27 to the growing list of transactivators which localize to the nucleolus.     

Usefulness of high-risk HPV early oncoprotein (E6 and E7) serological markers in the detection of cervical cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

We reviewed the literature on the importance of selected anti-high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) antibodies (namely, 16/18 and early oncoproteins E6 and E7) as potential serological markers for early detection of individuals at high risk of cervical cancer. We searched for studies in PubMed and Embase databases published from 2010 to 2020 on antibodies against HR-HPV E6 and E7 early proteins and cervical cancer. Pooled sensitivity and specificity for HPV16 and HPV18 antibodies were calculated using a bivariate hierarchical random-effects model. A total of 69 articles were identified; we included three studies with 1550 participants. For the three HPV16/18 E6 and E7 antibody tests, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-based assays had a sensitivity of 18% for detecting CIN2+ (95% confidence interval [CI]: 15–21) and a specificity of 96% (95% CI: 92–98), for slot-blot, sensitivity was 28.9% (95% CI: 23.3–35.1) and specificity was 72% (95% CI: 66.6–77.0) for detecting CIN2+, and for multiplex HPV serology assay based on a glutathione S-transferase, sensitivity was 16% (95% CI: 8.45–28.6) and specificity was 98% (95% CI: 97–99) for detecting invasive cervical cancer. HR-HPV16/18 E6 and E7 serological markers showed high specificity, but sensitivity was suboptimal for the detection of cervical cancer in either population screening settings or as point-of-care screening tests.