Interaction with CBP/p300 enables the bovine papillomavirus type 1 E6 oncoprotein to downregulate CBP/p300-mediated transactivation by p53

Comparative structural studies on Bovine papillomavirus E6 oncoproteins: Novel insights into viral infection and cell transformation from homology modeling and molecular dynamics simulations

Bovine papillomavirus (BPV) infects cattle cells worldwide, leading to hyperproliferative lesions and the potential development of cancer, driven by E5, E6, and E7 oncoproteins along with other cofactors. E6 oncoprotein binds experimentally to various proteins, primarily paxillin and MAML1, as well as hMCM7 and CBP/p300. However, the molecular and structural mechanisms underlying BPV-induced malignant transformation remain unclear. Therefore, we have modeled the E6 oncoprotein structure from non-oncogenic BPV-5 and compared them with oncogenic BPV-1 to assess the relationship between structural features and oncogenic potential. Our analysis elucidated crucial structural aspects of E6, highlighting both conserved elements across genotypes and genotype-specific variations potentially implicated in the oncogenic process, particularly concerning primary target interactions. Additionally, we predicted the location of the hMCM7 binding site on the N-terminal of BPV-5 E6. This study enhances our understanding of the structural characteristics of BPV E6 oncoproteins and their interactions with host proteins, clarifying structural differences and similarities between high and low-risk BPVs. This is important to understand better the mechanisms involved in cell transformation in BPV infection, which could be used as a possible target for therapy.

High-Risk Human Papillomavirus Oncogenic E6/E7 mRNAs Splicing Regulation

High-risk human papillomavirus infection may develop into a persistent infection that is highly related to the progression of various cancers, including cervical cancer and head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. The most common high-risk subtypes are HPV16 and HPV18. The oncogenic viral proteins expressed by high-risk HPVs E6/E7 are tightly involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, and cancerous transformation since E6/E7 mRNAs are derived from the same pre-mRNA. Hence, the alternative splicing in the E6/E7-coding region affects the balance of the E6/E7 expression level. Interrupting the balance of E6 and E7 levels results in cell apoptosis. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the regulation of E6/E7 splice site selection and the interaction of splicing enhancers and silencers with cellular splicing factors. In this review, we concluded the relationship of different E6/E7 transcripts with cancer progression, the known splicing sites, and the identified cis-regulatory elements within high-risk HPV E6/E7-coding region. Finally, we also reviewed the role of various splicing factors in the regulation of high-risk HPV oncogenic E6/E7 mRNA splicing.

Papillomaviruses: a systematic review

In the last decades, a group of viruses has received great attention due to its relationship with cancer development and its wide distribution throughout the vertebrates: the papillomaviruses. In this article, we aim to review some of the most relevant reports concerning the use of bovines as an experimental model for studies related to papillomaviruses. Moreover, the obtained data contributes to the development of strategies against the clinical consequences of bovine papillomaviruses (BPV) that have led to drastic hazards to the herds. To overcome the problem, the vaccines that we have been developing involve recombinant DNA technology, aiming at prophylactic and therapeutic procedures. It is important to point out that these strategies can be used as models for innovative procedures against HPV, as this virus is the main causal agent of cervical cancer, the second most fatal cancer in women.

Mutagenic Potential ofBos taurus Papillomavirus Type 1 E6 Recombinant Protein: First Description

Bovine papillomavirus (BPV) is considered a useful model to study HPV oncogenic process. BPV interacts with the host chromatin, resulting in DNA damage, which is attributed to E5, E6, and E7 viral oncoproteins activity. However, the oncogenic mechanisms of BPV E6 oncoprotein per se remain unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the mutagenic potential of Bos taurus papillomavirus type 1 (BPV-1) E6 recombinant oncoprotein by the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay (CBMNA) and comet assay (CA). Peripheral blood samples of five calves were collected. Samples were subjected to molecular diagnosis, which did not reveal presence of BPV sequences. Samples were treated with 1 μg/mL of BPV-1 E6 oncoprotein and 50 μg/mL of cyclophosphamide (positive control). Negative controls were not submitted to any treatment. The samples were submitted to the CBMNA and CA. The results showed that BPV E6 oncoprotein induces clastogenesis per se, which is indicative of genomic instability. These results allowed better understanding the mechanism of cancer promotion associated with the BPV E6 oncoprotein and revealed that this oncoprotein can induce carcinogenesis per se. E6 recombinant oncoprotein has been suggested as a possible vaccine candidate. Results pointed out that BPV E6 recombinant oncoprotein modifications are required to use it as vaccine.

Bovine and Human Papillomaviruses

Fifty years ago, inoculation with bovine papillomavirus (BPV) was found to cause mesenchymal tumors of the skin in cattle and horses, as well as tumors of the bladder in cattle. Subsequent to these studies of BPVs, human papillomaviruses (HPVs) were found to cause cervical cancer resulting in intense research into papillomaviruses. During the past 50 years, the ways that HPVs and BPVs cause disease have been investigated, and both HPVs and BPVs have been associated with an increasingly diverse range of diseases. Herein, the biology, oncogenic mechanisms, and diseases associated with BPVs are compared with those of HPVs. As reviewed, there are currently significant differences between BPVs and HPVs. However, research 50 years ago into BPVs formed a prologue for the recognition that papillomaviruses have a significant role in human disease, and it is possible that future research may similarly reveal that BPVs are less different from HPVs than is currently recognized.

Manipulation of cellular DNA damage repair machinery facilitates propagation of human papillomaviruses

In general, the interplay among viruses and DNA damage repair (DDR) pathways can be divided based on whether the interaction promotes or inhibits the viral lifecycle. The propagation of human papillomaviruses is both promoted and inhibited by DDR proteins. As a result, HPV proteins both activate repair pathways, such as the ATM and ATR pathways, and inhibit other pathways, most notably the p53 signaling pathway. Indeed, the role of HPV proteins, with regard to the DDR pathways, can be divided into two broad categories. The first set of viral proteins, HPV E1 and E2 activate a DNA damage response and recruit repair proteins to viral replication centers, where these proteins are likely usurped to replicate the viral genome. Because the activation of the DDR response typically elicits a cell cycle arrest that would impeded the viral lifecycle, the second set of HPV proteins, HPV E6 and E7, prevents the DDR response from pausing cell cycle progression or inducing apoptosis. This review provides a detailed account of the interactions among HPV proteins and DDR proteins that facilitate HPV propagation.

Bovine papillomavirus on the scene of crime: is E5 oncogene the only guilty party?

Bovine papillomaviruses (BPVs) induce hyperplastic and tumoral lesions not only in cows but also in other different animal species. The transforming activity of BPVs is due to its major E5 oncogene. Recent studies have highlighted the role of E5 in cancer development but very little is known about E6 and E7 oncogenes. In this letter we argue for the need of investigating E6 as well as E7 to better understand the role of these two oncogenes during carcinogenesis.

Papillomavirus E6 oncoproteins

Papillomaviruses induce benign and malignant epithelial tumors, and the viral E6 oncoprotein is essential for full transformation. E6 contributes to transformation by associating with cellular proteins, docking on specific acidic LXXLL peptide motifs found on these proteins. This review examines insights from recent studies of human and animal E6 proteins that determine the three-dimensional structure of E6 when bound to acidic LXXLL peptides. The structure of E6 is related to recent advances in the purification and identification of E6 associated protein complexes. These E6 protein-complexes, together with other proteins that bind to E6, alter a broad array of biological outcomes including modulation of cell survival, cellular transcription, host cell differentiation, growth factor dependence, DNA damage responses, and cell cycle progression.

Comprehensive analysis of host cellular interactions with human papillomavirus E6 proteins identifies new E6 binding partners and reflects viral diversity

We have begun to define the human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated proteome for a subset of the more than 120 HPV types that have been identified to date. Our approach uses a mass spectrometry-based platform for the systematic identification of interactions between human papillomavirus and host cellular proteins, and here we report a proteomic analysis of the E6 proteins from 16 different HPV types. The viruses included represent high-risk, low-risk, and non-cancer-associated types from genus alpha as well as viruses from four different species in genus beta. The E6 interaction data set consists of 153 cellular proteins, including several previously reported HPV E6 interactors such as p53, E6AP, MAML1, and p300/CBP and proteins containing PDZ domains. We report the genus-specific binding of E6s to either E6AP or MAML1, define the specific HPV E6s that bind to p300, and demonstrate several new features of interactions involving beta HPV E6s. In particular, we report that several beta HPV E6s bind to proteins containing PDZ domains and that at least two beta HPV E6s bind to p53. Finally, we report the newly discovered interaction of proteins of E6 of beta genus, species 2, with the Ccr4-Not complex, the first report of a viral protein binding to this complex. This data set represents a comprehensive survey of E6 binding partners that provides a resource for the HPV field and will allow continued studies on the diverse biology of the human papillomaviruses.

In planta production of a candidate vaccine against bovine papillomavirus type 1

Bovine papillomavirus type 1 (BPV-1) is an economically important virus that induces tumourigenic pathologies in horses and cows. Given that the BPV-1 L1 major coat protein can self-assemble into highly immunogenic higher-order structures, we transiently expressed it in Nicotiana benthamiana as a prelude to producing a candidate vaccine. It was found that plant codon optimization of L1 gave higher levels of expression than its non-optimized counterpart. Following protein extraction, we obtained high yields (183 mg/kg fresh weight leaf tissue) of relatively pure L1, which had self-assembled into virus-like particles (VLPs). We found that these VLPs elicited a highly specific and strong immune response, and therefore they may have utility as a potential vaccine. This is the first report demonstrating the viable production of a candidate BPV vaccine protein in plants.

Beta-HPV 5 and 8 E6 promote p300 degradation by blocking AKT/p300 association

The E6 oncoprotein from high-risk genus alpha human papillomaviruses (α-HPVs), such as HPV 16, has been well characterized with respect to the host-cell proteins it interacts with and corresponding signaling pathways that are disrupted due to these interactions. Less is known regarding the interacting partners of E6 from the genus beta papillomaviruses (β-HPVs); however, it is generally thought that β-HPV E6 proteins do not interact with many of the proteins known to bind to α-HPV E6. Here we identify p300 as a protein that interacts directly with E6 from both α- and β-HPV types. Importantly, this association appears much stronger with β-HPV types 5 and 8-E6 than with α-HPV type 16-E6 or β-HPV type 38-E6. We demonstrate that the enhanced association between 5/8-E6 and p300 leads to p300 degradation in a proteasomal-dependent but E6AP-independent manner. Rather, 5/8-E6 inhibit the association of AKT with p300, an event necessary to ensure p300 stability within the cell. Finally, we demonstrate that the decreased p300 protein levels concomitantly affect downstream signaling events, such as the expression of differentiation markers K1, K10 and Involucrin. Together, these results demonstrate a unique way in which β-HPV E6 proteins are able to affect host-cell signaling in a manner distinct from that of the α-HPVs.

p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase is crucial for bovine papillomavirus type-1 transformation of equine fibroblasts

Equine sarcoids represent the most common skin tumours in equids worldwide, characterized by extensive invasion and infiltration of lymphatics, rare regression and high recurrence after surgical intervention. Bovine papillomavirus type-1 (BPV-1) and less commonly BPV-2 are the causative agents of the diseases. It has been demonstrated that BPV-1 viral gene expression is necessary for maintaining the transformation phenotype. However, the underlying mechanism for BPV-1 transformation remains largely unknown, and the cellular factors involved in transformation are not fully understood. Previously mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathway has been shown to be important for cellular transformation. This study investigated the role of p38 MAPK (p38) in the transformation of equine fibroblasts by BPV-1. Elevated expression of phosphorylated p38 was observed in BPV-1 expressing fibroblasts due to the expression of BPV-1 E5 and E6. The phosphorylation of the MK2 kinase, a substrate of p38, was also enhanced. Inhibition of p38 activity by its selective inhibitor SB203580 changed cell morphology, reduced the proliferation of sarcoid fibroblasts and inhibited cellular invasiveness, indicating the indispensable role of p38 in BPV-1 transformation of equine fibroblasts. These findings provide new insights into the pathogenesis of equine sarcoids and suggest that p38 could be a potential target for equine sarcoid therapy.

Different contribution of bovine papillomavirus type 1 oncoproteins to the transformation of equine fibroblasts

Equine sarcoids represent the most common skin tumours in equids worldwide, characterized by localized invasion, rare regression and high recurrence following surgical intervention. Bovine papillomavirus type 1 (BPV-1) and less commonly BPV-2 are now widely recognized as the causative agents of the disease. Fibroblasts isolated from sarcoids are highly invasive. Invasion is associated with a high level of viral gene expression and matrix metalloproteinase upregulation. However, it remains unclear to what extent BPV-1 proteins are involved in the transformation of equine cells. To address this question, the individual viral genes E5, E6 and E7 were overexpressed in normal equine fibroblasts (EqPalF cells) and in the immortal but not fully transformed sarcoid-derived EqS02a cell line. The proliferation and invasiveness of these cell lines were assessed. E5 and E6 were found to be responsible for the enhanced cell proliferation and induction of increased invasion in EqS02a cells, whilst E7 appeared to enhance cell anchorage independence. Knockdown of BPV-1 oncogene expression by small interfering RNA reversed the transformed phenotype of sarcoid fibroblasts. Together, these observations strongly suggest that BPV-1 proteins play indispensable roles in the transformation of equine fibroblasts. These data also suggest that BPV-1 proteins are potential drug targets for equine sarcoid therapy.

E6-associated protein is required for human papillomavirus type 16 E6 to cause cervical cancer in mice

High-risk human papillomaviruses (HPV) cause certain anogenital and head and neck cancers. E6, one of three potent HPV oncogenes that contribute to the development of these malignancies, is a multifunctional protein with many biochemical activities. Among these activities are its ability to bind and inactivate the cellular tumor suppressor p53, induce expression of telomerase, and bind to various other proteins, including Bak, E6BP1, and E6TP1, and proteins that contain PDZ domains, such as hScrib and hDlg. Many of these activities are thought to contribute to the role of E6 in carcinogenesis. The interaction of E6 with many of these cellular proteins, including p53, leads to their destabilization. This property is mediated at least in part through the ability of E6 to recruit the ubiquitin ligase E6-associated protein (E6AP) into complexes with these cellular proteins, resulting in their ubiquitin-mediated degradation by the proteasome. In this study, we address the requirement for E6AP in mediating acute and oncogenic phenotypes of E6, including induction of epithelial hyperplasia, abrogation of DNA damage response, and induction of cervical cancer. Loss of E6AP had no discernible effect on the ability of E6 to induce hyperplasia or abrogate DNA damage responses, akin to what we had earlier observed in the mouse epidermis. Nevertheless, in cervical carcinogenesis studies, there was a complete loss of the oncogenic potential of E6 in mice nulligenic for E6AP. Thus, E6AP is absolutely required for E6 to cause cervical cancer.

Bovine papillomaviruses: their role in the aetiology of cutaneous tumours of bovids and equids

Bovine papillomavirus (BPV) is perhaps the most extensively studied animal papillomavirus. In cattle BPVs induce benign tumours of cutaneous or mucosal epithelia, called papillomas or warts. Cattle papillomas are benign tumours and generally regress without eliciting any serious clinical problems in the host, but occasionally persist and provide the focus for malignant transformation to squamous cell carcinoma, as in the case of cancer of the urinary bladder and cancer of the upper alimentary canal. BPV is the only papillomavirus that jumps species: the virus also infects equids, and gives rise to fibroblastic tumours called sarcoids. Sarcoids very rarely regress, more often they persist and can be locally aggressive. These tumours are the most common dermatological tumour of equids worldwide. The purpose of this review is to discuss the biology of BPV, the biology of bovine tumours and equine sarcoids, and present the current understanding of BPV in tumour pathogenesis in its natural host, cattle, and in its heterologous host, equids. Finally, the use of anti-BPV vaccines as a therapy for equine sarcoids will be discussed. Only limited information on the clinical or pathological aspects of either bovine or equine tumours will be provided as this subject has been extensively addressed previously.

Papillomavirus E6 proteins

The papillomaviruses are small DNA viruses that encode approximately eight genes, and require the host cell DNA replication machinery for their viral DNA replication. Thus papillomaviruses have evolved strategies to induce host cell DNA synthesis balanced with strategies to protect the cell from unscheduled replication. While the papillomavirus E1 and E2 genes are directly involved in viral replication by binding to and unwinding the origin of replication, the E6 and E7 proteins have auxillary functions that promote proliferation. As a consequence of disrupting the normal checkpoints that regulate cell cycle entry and progression, the E6 and E7 proteins play a key role in the oncogenic properties of human papillomaviruses with a high risk of causing anogenital cancers (HR HPVs). As a consequence, E6 and E7 of HR HPVs are invariably expressed in cervical cancers. This article will focus on the E6 protein and its numerous activities including inactivating p53, blocking apoptosis, activating telomerase, disrupting cell adhesion, polarity and epithelial differentiation, altering transcription and reducing immune recognition.

Bovine papillomaviruses, papillomas and cancer in cattle

Bovine papillomaviruses (BPV) are DNA oncogenic viruses inducing hyperplastic benign lesions of both cutaneous and mucosal epithelia in cattle. Ten (BPV 1-10) different viral genotypes have been characterised so far. BPV 1-10 are all strictly species-specific but BPV 1/2 may also infect equids inducing fibroblastic tumours. These benign lesions generally regress but may also occasionally persist, leading to a high risk of evolving into cancer, particularly in the presence of environmental carcinogenic co-factors. Among these, bracken fern is the most extensively studied. The synergism between immunosuppressants and carcinogenic principles from bracken fern and the virus has been experimentally demonstrated for both urinary bladder and alimentary canal cancer in cows whose diets were based on this plant. BPV associated tumours have veterinary and agricultural relevance in their own right, although they have also been studied as a relevant model of Human papillomavirus (HPV). Recent insights into BPV biology have paved the way to new fields of speculation on the role of these viruses in neoplastic transformation of cells other than epithelial ones. This review will briefly summarise BPV genome organization, will describe in greater detail the functions of viral oncoproteins, the interaction between the virus and co-carcinogens in tumour development; relevant aspects of immunity and vaccines will also be discussed.

Viral hijacking of cellular ubiquitination pathways as an anti-innate immunity strategy

Viruses are obligate parasites of host cells. Virus-host coevolution has selected virus for growth despite antiviral defenses set up by hosting cells and organisms. Ubiquitin conjugation onto proteins, through a cascade of reactions mediated by E1 (ubiquitin-activating enzyme) and E2 and E3 (ubiquitin- conjugating ligases), is one of the major regulatory systems that, in particular, tightly controls the concentration of cellular proteins by sorting them for degradation. The combined diversity of E2 and E3 ligases ensures the selective/specific ubiquitination of a large number of protein substrates within the cell interior. Therefore it is not surprising that several viruses encode proteins with E3 ubiquitin ligase activities that target cellular proteins playing a key role in innate antiviral mechanisms.

The E6 protein of the cutaneous human papillomavirus type 8 can stimulate the viral early and late promoters by distinct mechanisms

The expression of the proteins encoded by human papillomaviruses (HPVs) is tightly linked to the differentiation program of the infected keratinocytes. The late promoter, expressing the structural proteins, becomes activated in the differentiated keratinocytes, while the early promoter is also active in the basal layers. We have shown previously that the viral transcriptional regulator E2 and the cellular coactivator p300 cooperate in activation of gene expression of HPV8, which infects the skin and is associated with epidermodysplasia verruciformis. Here we demonstrate that this activation is further stimulated after overexpression of the E6 oncoprotein of HPV8 (8E6). RNase protection experiments revealed that 8E6 efficiently cooperates with 8E2 and p300 in activation of the late promoter. In addition, the early promoter, which did not respond to 8E2 and/or p300, was stimulated more than fourfold by 8E6. Our data suggest that both promoters are activated via distinct mechanisms, since the activation of the early promoter was achieved by the N-terminal moiety of 8E6; in contrast, its C-terminal half was sufficient for late promoter activation. This was markedly reduced by the deletion of amino acids 132 to 136 of 8E6, which also abolished the binding to p300, indicating that a direct interaction between 8E6 and p300 is involved. Moreover, a 45-amino-acid segment within the C/H3 region of p300 is required for 8E6 to stimulate the coactivator function of p300. Our results demonstrate for the first time that an E6 oncoprotein of HPV directly contributes to the regulation of HPV gene expression.

Opposing effects of bovine papillomavirus type 1 E6 and E7 genes on Fas-mediated apoptosis

Programmed cell death (PCD), best exemplified by apoptosis, is a genetically programmed process of cellular destruction that is indispensable for normal development and homeostasis of multicellular organisms. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF) and related cytokines are employed by host defenses to eliminate virally infected cells through induction of apoptosis. Many viruses have evolved specific gene products to modulate this process. We have recently shown that the bovine papillomavirus type 1 (BPV-1) E6 and E7 genes independently sensitize mouse cells to TNF-induced apoptosis. In this report, we investigated the effect of E6 and E7 expression on Fas-mediated apoptosis. In contrast to TNF-mediated apoptosis, E6 and E7 demonstrated opposite effects: while E7 potentiated apoptosis triggered by an agonistic Fas antibody, E6 attenuated the effect. The mitochondrial pathway leading to the activation of caspases appears to be involved in Fas-mediated apoptosis in C127 cells. To further explore the mechanisms by which E6 and E7 modulate Fas-mediated apoptosis, we examined the surface expression of Fas in cells expressing E6 and E7. Significantly, levels of surface Fas expression correlated with the opposing effects of E6 and E7 on Fas-mediated apoptosis. Specifically, while E7 increased the surface expression of Fas, E6 reduced surface Fas expression. Mutational analysis demonstrated a correlation of E6's ability to downregulate surface Fas expression and apoptosis. Since the tumor suppressor p53 can be targeted for degradation by human papillomavirus and has been shown to induce apoptosis by upregulating surface Fas expression, we investigated the role of p53 in BPV-1 E6 and E7 modulation of Fas-mediated apoptosis. Our results demonstrated that the modulatory effects by E6 and E7 could occur in the absence of p53. Interestingly, the reduced Fas protein level on the cell surface is not accompanied by a decrease in total Fas levels in E6-expressing cells. Instead, considerably more Fas protein is found in the cytoplasm of cells expressing E6. These results highlight a novel activity of E6 and E7 that may be involved in viral pathogenesis.

The global transcriptional effects of the human papillomavirus E6 protein in cervical carcinoma cell lines are mediated by the E6AP ubiquitin ligase

The function of the human papillomavirus (HPV) E6 protein that is most clearly linked to carcinogenesis is the targeted degradation of p53, which is dependent on the E6AP ubiquitin ligase. Additional functions have been attributed to E6, including the stimulation of telomerase activity and the targeted degradation of other cellular proteins, but in most cases it is unclear whether these activities are also E6AP dependent. While E6 clearly influences the transcriptional program of HPV-positive cell lines through the inactivation of p53, it has been shown that at least a subset of its p53-independent functions are also reflected in the transcriptional program. For this study, we have determined the extent to which E6AP is involved in mediating the set of E6 functions that impact on the global transcriptional program of HPV-positive cell lines. The transcriptional profiles of approximately 31,000 genes were characterized for three cell lines (HeLa, Caski, and SiHa cells) after small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated silencing of E6 or E6AP. We found that E6 and E6AP siRNAs elicited nearly identical alterations in the transcriptional profile of each cell line. Some of the expression alterations were apparent secondary effects of p53 stabilization, while the basis of most other changes was not reconcilable with previously proposed E6 functions. While expression changes of the TERT gene (telomerase catalytic subunit) were not revealed by the array, telomerase repeat amplification protocol assays showed that both E6 and E6AP knockouts resulted in a suppression of telomerase activity. Together, these results suggest that E6AP mediates a broad spectrum of E6 functions, including virtually all functions that impact on the transcriptional program of HPV-positive cell lines.

Design and characterization of helical peptides that inhibit the E6 protein of papillomavirus

The E6 protein from HPV type 16 binds proteins containing a seven-residue leucine-containing motif. Previous work demonstrated that peptides containing the consensus sequence are a mixture of alpha-helix and unstructured conformations. To design monomeric E6-binding peptides that are stable in aqueous solution, we used a protein grafting approach where the critical residues of the E6-binding motif of E6-associated protein, E6AP, LQELLGE, were incorporated into exposed helices of two stably folded peptide scaffolds. One series was built using the third zinc finger of the Sp1 protein, which contains a C-terminal helix. A second series was built using a Trp-cage scaffold, which contains an N-terminal helix. The chimeric peptides had very different activities in out-competing the E6-E6AP interaction. We characterized the peptides by circular dichroism spectroscopy and determined high-resolution structures by NMR methods. The E6-binding consensus motif was found to be helical in the high-quality structures, which had backbone root-mean-square deviations of less than 0.4 A. We have successfully grafted the E6-binding motif into two parent peptides to create ligands that have biological activity while preserving the stable, native fold of their scaffolds. The data also indicate that conformational change is common in E6-binding proteins during the formation of the complex with the viral E6 protein.

Hpv Proteins as Targets for Therapeutic Intervention

Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are the aetiological agents of several types of anogenital tumours, particularly cervical carcinoma. Recent evidence also suggests a role for HPV in the development of squamous cell carcinomas of the skin, especially in immunocompromised individuals. HPV infection also produces a number of non-malignant, but nonetheless cosmetically unpleasant lesions. Therefore, any effective therapeutic treatment for HPV-induced diseases would be extremely beneficial both on humanitarian grounds as well as being economically very attractive. In this review, we will discuss the functions of the viral proteins that appear to be the most appropriate for the development of therapeutics aimed at the treatment of viral infection and virus-induced cancers.

The human papillomavirus type 11 and 16 E6 proteins modulate the cell-cycle regulator and transcription cofactor TRIP-Br1

The genital human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are a taxonomic group including HPV types that preferentially cause genital and laryngeal warts ("low-risk types"), such as HPV-6 and HPV-11, or cancer of the cervix and its precursor lesions ("high-risk types"), such as HPV-16. The transforming processes induced by these viruses depend on the proteins E5, E6, and E7. Among these oncoproteins, the E6 protein stands out because it supports a particularly large number of functions and interactions with cellular proteins, some of which are specific for the carcinogenic HPVs, while others are shared among low- and high-risk HPVs. Here we report yeast two-hybrid screens with HPV-6 and -11 E6 proteins that identified TRIP-Br1 as a novel cellular target. TRIP-Br1 was recently detected by two research groups, which described two separate functions, namely that of a transcriptional integrator of the E2F1/DP1/RB cell-cycle regulatory pathway (and then named TRIP-Br1), and that of an antagonist of the cyclin-dependent kinase suppression of p16INK4a (and then named p34SEI-1). We observed that TRIP-Br1 interacts with low- and high-risk HPV E6 proteins in yeast, in vitro and in mammalian cell cultures. Transcription activation of a complex consisting of E2F1, DP1, and TRIP-Br1 was efficiently stimulated by both E6 proteins. TRIP-Br1 has an LLG E6 interaction motif, which contributed to the binding of E6 proteins. Apparently, E6 does not promote degradation of TRIP-Br1. Our observations imply that the cell-cycle promoting transcription factor E2F1/DP1 is dually targeted by HPV oncoproteins, namely (i) by interference of the E7 protein with repression by RB, and (ii) by the transcriptional cofactor function of the E6 protein. Our data reveal the natural context of the transcription activator function of E6, which has been predicted without knowledge of the E2F1/DP1/TRIP-Br/E6 complex by studying chimeric constructs, and add a function to the limited number of transforming properties shared by low- and high-risk HPVs.

Interaction between the HPV E7 oncoprotein and the transcriptional coactivator p300

Infection with high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPV) can lead to the development of cervical cancer. This process depends on the interaction of the virus-encoded oncoproteins, E6 and E7, with a variety of host regulatory proteins. As E7 shares both functional and structural similarities with the Adenovirus E1a (Ad E1a) protein, we were interested in investigating the possible interactions between E7 and the transcriptional coactivator p300, since it was originally identified as a target of Ad E1a. Using a variety of assays, we show that E7s from both high- and low-risk HPV types interact with p300. Mutational analysis of E7 maps the site of the interaction to a region spanning the pRb-binding domain and the CKII phosphorylation site. We also map the site of interaction on p300 largely to the CH1 domain. In addition, we demonstrate that the binding between 16E7 and p300 is direct, and can be detected in vivo by coimmunoprecipitation and mammalian two-hybrid assays. Finally, we show that E7 can abolish the p300-mediated E2 transactivation function, suggesting that complex formation between E7 and p300 may contribute to the regulation of E2 transcriptional activity.

Association of bovine papillomavirus with the equine sarcoid

The equine sarcoid, a locally aggressive, fibroblastic skin tumour, is the most common dermatological neoplasm reported in horses; there is no consistently effective therapy. It is widely accepted that bovine papillomavirus (BPV) types 1 and 2 are associated with the pathogenesis of sarcoid disease. Most sarcoids appear to contain detectable viral DNA and RNA and are also known to express the BPV types 1 and 2 major transforming protein, E5, but appear not to produce infectious virions. While the mode of transmission of infection has not been elucidated, viral gene expression, in particular of E5, may contribute to virus persistence and disease pathogenesis by downregulating MHC class I expression. Here, the pathology and epidemiology of the sarcoid and its association with BPV is reviewed; the transforming functions of the BPV oncoproteins and their possible role in sarcoid pathogenesis are discussed; and the practical implications of BPV infection for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes are considered.

Cooperative activation of human papillomavirus type 8 gene expression by the E2 protein and the cellular coactivator p300

The E2 proteins of papillomaviruses (PV) bind to the coactivator CBP/p300 as do many other transcription factors, but the precise role of CBP/p300 in E2-specific functions is not yet understood. We show that the E2 protein of human PV type 8 (HPV8) directly binds to p300. Activation of HPV8 gene expression by low amounts of HPV8 E2 was stimulated up to sevenfold by coexpression of p300. The interaction between E2 and p300 may play a role in differentiation-dependent activation of PV gene expression, since we can show that the expression level of p300 increases during keratinocyte differentiation. Surprisingly, sequence-specific binding of E2 to its recognition sites within the regulatory region of HPV8 is not necessary for this cooperation, indicating that E2 can be recruited to the promoter via protein-protein interaction. HPV8 E2 binds via its N-terminal activation domain (AD), its C-terminal DNA binding domain (DBD), and its internal hinge region to p300 in vitro. Transient-transfection assays revealed that the AD is necessary and sufficient for cooperative activation with p300. However, we provide evidence that the interaction of the hinge and the DBD of HPV8 E2 with p300 may contribute. Our data suggest an important role of p300 in regulation of HPV8 gene expression and reveal a new mechanism by which E2 may be recruited to a promoter to activate transcription without sequence specific DNA binding.

Interaction of oncogenic papillomavirus E6 proteins with fibulin-1

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the primary risk factor for the development of cervical cancer. The papillomavirus E6 gene is essential for virus-induced cellular transformation and the viral life cycle. Important insight into the mechanism of E6 function came from the discovery that cancer-related HPV E6 proteins promote the degradation of the tumor suppressor p53. However, mounting evidence indicates that interaction with p53 does not mediate all E6 activities. To explore the p53-independent functions of E6, we performed a yeast two-hybrid screen and identified fibulin-1 as an E6 binding protein. Fibulin-1 is a calcium-binding plasma and extracellular matrix protein that has been implicated in cellular transformation and tumor invasion. The interaction between E6 and fibulin-1 was demonstrated by both in vitro and in vivo assays. Fibulin-1 is associated specifically with cancer-related HPV E6s and the transforming bovine papillomavirus type 1 E6. Significantly, overexpression of fibulin-1 specifically inhibited E6-mediated transformation. These results suggest that fibulin-1 plays an important role in the biological activities of E6.

Multiple mechanisms for Pitx-1 transactivation of a luteinizing hormone beta subunit gene

The pituitary homeobox factor-1 (Pitx-1) transactivates a number of pituitary-specific genes through direct interaction with other specific transcription factors. We demonstrate here that Pitx-1 plays a crucial role in the regulation of the Chinook salmon luteinizing hormone beta gene promoter through a number of novel mechanisms. On the proximal promoter its action involves a synergistic effect with steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1) alone or in combination with the estrogen receptor; promoter activity being induced by 9- or 35-fold over controls, respectively. Further upstream, a series of four Pitx-1 response elements (located between 1366 and 1506 bp from the transcriptional start site) is also involved in regulating the promoter activity. The two distal sequences have the greatest effect on the basal activity and are also essential for the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) response. Mammalian two-hybrid assays revealed that Pitx-1 can homodimerize. Moreover, circular permutation assays indicate that binding of Pitx-1 to more than one response element induces conformational changes of the target DNA. This constitutes an additional mechanism through which Pitx-1 can mediate transactivation of this gene, allowing the demonstrated interaction of proximal response elements and distal enhancers, thus facilitating the maximal GnRH response that was seen in the longer promoter constructs. Our research also indicates that Pitx-1 is phosphorylated on three residues when bound to the DNA.

Bovine papillomavirus type 1 E6-induced sensitization to apoptosis is distinct from its transforming activity

The bovine papillomavirus type 1 (BPV-1) E6 oncoprotein induces tumorigenic transformation of murine C127 cells and stimulates transcription when targeted to a promoter. We have previously shown that C127 cells expressing BPV-1 E6 exhibited increased tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF)-mediated apoptosis. To understand the mechanisms by which BPV-1 E6 sensitizes cells to apoptosis and to investigate the relevance of E6-enhanced apoptosis to its other biological activities, we analyzed a BPV-1 E6 mutant (491, with four amino acids deleted at the C-terminus) for its ability to sensitize C127 cells to apoptosis. The result was then compared with the E6 mutant's ability to transform cells, to activate transcription, and to associate with known cellular binding proteins. Our data indicated that the transcriptional activation function of BPV-1 E6 correlated with sensitization of cells to TNF-mediated apoptosis. Moreover, functions required for BPV-1 E6-mediated sensitization of cells to apoptosis are distinct from those required for transformation. A potential role of paxillin in E6 sensitization of cells to apoptosis is implicated. These results thus indicate that sensitization of cells to TNF-induced apoptosis represents a novel function of BPV-1 E6.

Complementation of a p300/CBP defective-binding mutant of adenovirus E1a by human papillomavirus E6 proteins

Previous studies have shown that the human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16) E6 protein binds to p300/CBP and abrogates its transcriptional co-activator function. However, there is little information on the biological consequences of this interaction and discrepancy as to whether the interaction is high-risk E6 specific or not. We performed a series of studies to compare the interactions of HPV-18 and HPV-11 E6 with p300, and showed that both high- and low- risk E6 proteins bind p300. In addition, using a transformation-deficient mutant of adenovirus E1a, which cannot interact with p300, we demonstrated that HPV-16, HPV-18 and, to a lesser extent, HPV-11 E6, can complement this mutant in cell transformation assays. In contrast, a mutant of HPV-16 E6 which does not bind p300 failed to rescue the E1a mutant. These results suggest that the E6-p300 interaction may be important for the ability of HPV E6 to contribute towards cell transformation.