Human papillomavirus type 16 E7-regulated genes: regulation of S100P and ADP/ATP carrier protein genes identified by differential-display technology

Human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16) is the dominant risk factor for the d evelopment of cervical cancer. The virus encodes three oncoproteins, of whi ch the E7 oncoprotein is the major protein involved in cell immortalization and transformation. E7 is a multi-functional protein. It binds the retinob lastoma tumour-suppressor protein (pRb), which regulates progression throug h the G(1) restriction point in the cell cycle. The E7 protein interacts wi th transcription-regulatory proteins such as the TATA box-binding protein a nd with proteins of the AP1 transcription factor family. To identify additi onal proteins regulated by E7, differential-display PCR was used to identif y differentially expressed mRNAs in cells containing an inducible E7 protei n. It is reported that E7 expression leads to regulation of the genes encod ing the calcium-binding protein S100P and the mitochondrial ADP/ATP carrier protein. These data identify new functions of the E7 protein and thus expa nd the number of routes by which HPV-16 influences cell growth control, alt hough the function of S100P has still to be elucidated.