Expression of human papillomavirus type 16 E7 gene induces DNA synthesis of rat 3Y1 cells

Human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV 16) open reading frames (ORF) E6, E7, and E6E7, placed under the control of dexamethasone-inducible mouse mammary tumor virus long terminal repeat, were introduced into rat 3Y1 cells, an immortalized fibroblast line, with the aid of neomycin-selection. The cell clones containing inducible HPV 16 ORFs were selected and examined for DNA synthesis. Following induction of HPV mRNA synthesis by the hormone, DNA synthesis was stimulated in the cells containing E7 or E6E7 ORFs. The data indicate that expression of the HPV 16 E7 gene is mitogenic for rat 3Y1 cells.