Functional interaction of human papillomavirus E7 protein and CBP

Abstract

Human papillomavirus is the causative agent of cervical cancer. Using genetic and biochemical approaches, we provide the evidence that HPV E7 is able to associate with cAMP response element binding protein binding protein (CBP) and the related protein p300 in vivo and in vitro. Transient transfection assays showed that HPV E7 enhances the transcriptional activation functions of CBP. These results suggest that E7 can stimulate some cellular CBP mediated promoters. In addition, we show that HPV E7 binds to HPV E6 in vitro, and E7 also suppresses IRF-1 dependent promoter. From these data, we speculate that both E6 and E7 disturb the cellular interferon pathway, and CBP is a mediator of these interference activities of HPV E6 and E7.