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Human papillomavirus type 16 E6 and E 7 proteins alter NF-kB in cultured cervical epithelial cells and inhibition of NF-kB promotes cell growth and immortalization

Journal Article · · Virology
; ; ; ; ; ;  [1];  [2]
  1. Department of Biology, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY 13699-5805 (United States)
  2. Department of Mathematics, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY 13699-5805 (United States)
The NF-kB family of transcription factors regulates important biological functions including cell growth, survival and the immune response. We found that Human Papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16) E7 and E6/E7 proteins inhibited basal and TNF-alpha-inducible NF-kB activity in human epithelial cells cultured from the cervical transformation zone, the anatomic region where most cervical cancers develop. In contrast, HPV-16 E6 regulated NF-kB in a cell type- and cell growth-dependent manner. NF-kB influenced immortalization of cervical cells by HPV16. Inhibition of NF-kB by an IkB alpha repressor mutant increased colony formation and immortalization by HPV-16. In contrast, activation of NF-kB by constitutive expression of p65 inhibited proliferation and immortalization. Our results suggest that inhibition of NF-kB by HPV-16 E6/E7 contributes to immortalization of cells from the cervical transformation zone.
OSTI ID:
22149265
Journal Information:
Virology, Journal Name: Virology Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 425; ISSN VIRLAX; ISSN 0042-6822
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English