CELLULAR CONTROL OF HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS ONCOGENE TRANSCRIPTION

Specific types of human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are closely associated with the development of cervical cancer. The transforming ability of these high-risk HPV types depends on the expression of the viral E6 an d E7 oncogenes. It is therefore of particular interest to elucidate th e molecular mechanisms that result in the activation of E6/E7 expressi on during HPV-associated tumorigenesis. Recently, much progress has be en made in characterizing the proteins involved in the regulation of H PV oncogene transcription. This review describes the functional signif icance of cellular factors involved in the transcriptional control of the E6/E7 promoter for the two most common HPV types associated with c ervical cancer, HPV16 and HPV18. In addition, we discuss regulatory pa thways that may contribute to the epithelial cell specificity of E6/E7 transcription. The definition of the factors that regulate HPV oncoge ne transcription could provide new insights into the molecular mechani sms activating vira I oncogene expression during cervical carcinogenes is and forms an experimental basis for investigating the specific bioc hemical pathways that contribute to HPV-associated malignant cell tran sformation. (C) 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.