Complexes of human papillomavirus type 16 E6 proteins form pseudo-death-inducing signaling complex structures during tumor necrosis factor-mediated apoptosis

High-risk strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) such as HPV type 16 (HPV16) and HPV18 are causative agents of most human cervical carcinomas. E6, one of the oncogenes encoded by HPV16, possesses a number of biological and transforming functions. We have previously shown that the binding of E6 to host apoptotic proteins such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) R1, the adaptor protein FADD, and procaspase 8 results in a significant modification of the normal flow of apoptotic events. For example, E6 can bind to and accelerate the degradation of FADD. In addition, full-length E6 binds to the TNF R1 death domain and can also bind to and accelerate the degradation of procaspase 8. In contrast, the binding of small splice isoforms known as E6* results in the stabilization of procaspase 8. In this report, we propose a model for the ability of HPV16 E6 to both sensitize and protect cells from TNF as well as to protect cells from Fas. We demonstrate that both the level of E6 expression and the ratio between full-length E6 and E6* are important factors in the modification of the host extrinsic apoptotic pathways and show that at high levels of E6 expression, the further sensitization of U2OS, NOK, and Ca Ski cells to TNF-mediated apoptosis is most likely due to the formation of a pseudo-death-inducing signaling complex structure that includes complexes of E6 proteins.     

The human papillomavirus (HPV) 16 E2 protein induces apoptosis in the absence of other HPV proteins and via a p53-dependent pathway

The human papillomavirus (HPV) E2 protein regulates viral gene expression and is also required for viral replication. HPV-transformed cells often contain chromosomally integrated copies of the HPV genome in which the viral E2 gene is disrupted. We have shown previously that re-expression of the HPV 16 E2 protein in HPV 16-transformed cells results in cell death via apoptosis. Here we show that the HPV 16 E2 protein can induce apoptosis in both HPV-transformed and non-HPV-transformed cell lines. E2-induced apoptosis is abrogated by a trans-dominant negative mutant of p53 or by overexpression of the HPV 16 E6 protein, but is increased by overexpression of wild-type p53. We show that mutations that block the DNA binding activity of E2 do not impair the ability of this protein to induce apoptosis. In contrast, removal of both N-terminal domains from the E2 dimer completely blocks E2-induced cell death. Heterodimers formed between wild-type E2 and N-terminally deleted E2 proteins also fail to induce cell death. Our data suggest that neither the DNA binding activity of E2 nor other HPV proteins are required for the induction of apoptosis by E2 and that E2-induced cell death occurs via a p53-dependent pathway.     

The human papillomavirus 16 E6 protein binds to Fas-associated death domain and protects cells from Fas-triggered apoptosis

High risk strains of human papillomavirus (HPV), such as HPV 16, cause human cervical carcinoma. The E6 protein of HPV 16 mediates the rapid degradation of the tumor suppressor p53, although this is not the only function of E6 and cannot completely explain its transforming potential. Previous work in our laboratory has demonstrated that E6 can protect cells from tumor necrosis factor-induced apoptosis by binding to the C-terminal end of tumor necrosis factor R1, thus blocking apoptotic signal transduction. In this study, E6 was shown to also protect cells from apoptosis induced via the Fas pathway. Furthermore, use of an inducible E6 expression system demonstrated that this protection is dose-dependent, with higher levels of E6 leading to greater protection. Although E6 suppresses activation of both caspase 3 and caspase 8, it does not affect apoptotic signaling through the mitochondrial pathway. Mammalian two-hybrid and in vitro pull-down assays were then used to demonstrate that E6 binds directly to the death effector domain of Fas-associated death domain (FADD), with deletion and site-directed mutants enabling the localization of the E6-binding site to the N-terminal end of the FADD death effector domain. E6 is produced in two forms as follows: a full-length version of approximately 16 kDa and a smaller version of about half that size corresponding to the N-terminal half of the full-length protein. Pull-down and functional assays demonstrated that the full-length version, but not the small version of E6, was able to bind to FADD and to protect cells from Fas-induced apoptosis. In addition, binding to E6 leads to degradation of FADD, with the loss of cellular FADD proportional to the amount of E6 expressed. These results support a model in which E6-mediated degradation of FADD prevents transmission of apoptotic signals via the Fas pathway.     

Mutant p53 can substitute for human papillomavirus type 16 E6 in immortalization of human keratinocytes but does not have E6-associated trans-activation or transforming activity.

Human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) E6 and E7 are selectively retained and expressed in HPV16-associated human genital tumors. E6 is active in several cell culture assays, including transformation of NIH 3T3 cells, trans activation of the adenovirus E2 promoter, and cooperation with E7 to immortalize normal human keratinocytes. Biochemically, the HPV16 E6 protein has been shown to bind to tumor suppressor protein p53 in vitro and induce its degradation in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate. To examine the relationship between the various biological activities of E6 and inactivation of p53, we tested the abilities of dominant negative mutants of p53 to substitute functionally for E6 in the three cell culture assays. While wild-type p53 inhibited keratinocyte proliferation, both mouse and human mutant p53s, in conjunction with E7, increased proliferation of the keratinocytes, resulting in generation of immortalized lines. However, in contrast to E6, mutant p53 was unable to induce transformation or trans activate the adenovirus E2 promoter in NIH 3T3 cells. These results suggest that inactivation of wild-type p53 is necessary for HPV-induced immortalization of human keratinocytes and that different or additional activities are required for E6-dependent transformation and trans activation of NIH 3T3 cells.     

Adenoviral p53 effects and cell-specific E7 protein-protein interactions of human cervical cancer cells

We investigated the time-course tumor growth suppression effects of recombinant adenovirus expressing p53 on human cervical cancer cells and cell-specific E7 protein-protein interactions in cell lysates using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor. Six HPV-infected human cervical cancer cell lines (HPV 16-positive cells, CaSki and SiHa cells; HPV 18-positive cells, HeLa and HeLaS3 cells; and HPV negative C33A and HT3 cells) were used. After infection with AdCMVp53, the cell-specific growth inhibition was studied in vitro and in vivo. Also, we produced the recombinant E7 oncoprotein of HPV 16 type and tested chip-based protein-protein interactions with each cell lysate. For each cervical cancer cell, differential cell growth inhibitions were shown via cell count assay and MTT assay. Note that the same trend in suppression levels was shown in CaSki, HeLa and in SiHa, HeLaS3, respectively. In contrast, infection with AdCMVLacZ showed increased cell growth in a manner similar to the negative control group. The levels of p53 protein were notably expressed in CaSki and HeLa more than in SiHa and HeLaS3 for 4 days. In contrast, p53 expression was continually maintained in C33A and HT3 for 6 days. After transfection AdCMVp53 into CaSki- and SiHa-xenografted nude mice, the size of tumor was remarkably decreased in SiHa cells as compared to AdCMVLacZ transfection. The SPR sensor surface was successfully modified with the recombinant E7 oncoprotein and showed cell-specific interactions between E7 and its target proteins from cell lysates. The anti-tumor effects were accomplished via differential role of p53-specific apoptotic cell death, which is dependent upon the cervical cancer cell line. Also, a molecular level understanding of cell-dependent protein interaction effects of recombinant E7 was shown.     

Genetic analysis of high-risk e6 in episomal maintenance of human papillomavirus genomes in primary human keratinocytes

Papillomaviruses possess small DNA genomes that encode five early (E) proteins. Transient DNA replication requires activities of the E1 and E2 proteins and a DNA segment containing their binding sites. The E6 and E7 proteins of cancer-associated human papillomavirus (HPV) transform cells in culture. Recent reports have shown that E6 and E7 are necessary for episomal maintenance of HPV in primary keratinocytes. The functions of E6 necessary for viral replication have not been determined, and to address this question we used a recently developed transfection system based on HPV31. To utilize a series of HPV16 E6 mutations, HPV31 E6 was replaced by its HPV16 counterpart. This chimeric genome was competent for both transient and stable replication in keratinocytes. Four HPV16 E6 mutations that do not stimulate p53 degradation were unable to support stable viral replication, suggesting this activity may be necessary for episomal maintenance. E7 has also been shown to be essential for episomal maintenance of the HPV31 genome. A point mutation in the Rb binding motif of HPV E7 has been reported to render HPV31 unable to stably replicate. Interestingly, HPV31 genomes harboring two of the three p53 degradation-defective E6 mutations combined with this E7 mutation were maintained as replicating episomes. These findings imply that the balance between E6 and E7 functions in infected cells is critical for episomal maintenance of high-risk HPV genomes. This model will be useful to dissect the activities of E6 and E7 necessary for viral DNA replication.     

Structural and functional analysis of E6 oncoprotein: insights in the molecular pathways of human papillomavirus-mediated pathogenesis

Oncoprotein E6 is essential for oncogenesis induced by human papillomaviruses (HPVs). The solution structure of HPV16-E6 C-terminal domain reveals a zinc binding fold. A model of full-length E6 is proposed and analyzed in the context of HPV evolution. E6 appears as a chameleon protein combining a conserved structural scaffold with highly variable surfaces participating in generic or specialized HPV functions. We investigated surface residues involved in two specialized activities of high-risk genital HPV E6: p53 tumor suppressor degradation and nucleic acid binding. Screening of E6 surface mutants identified an in vivo p53 degradation-defective mutant that fails to recruit p53 to ubiquitin ligase E6AP and restores high p53 levels in cervical carcinoma cells by competing with endogeneous E6. We also mapped the nucleic acid binding surface of E6, the positive potential of which correlates with genital oncogenicity. E6 structure-function analysis provides new clues for understanding and counteracting the complex pathways of HPV-mediated pathogenesis.     

Accelerated degradation of FADD and procaspase 8 in cells expressing human papilloma virus 16 E6 impairs TRAIL-mediated apoptosis

Viruses have developed sophisticated strategies to evade host defenses and facilitate the production and spread of progeny. In this study, we show that transfection of the human papillomavirus (HPV) 16 E6 oncogene into HCT116 cells provides protection from tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL)-mediated apoptosis. Additionally, we demonstrate that the protection provided by E6 is dose-dependent because higher levels of E6 provide greater protection. The mechanism underlying this protection involves a rapid reduction in the protein levels of both Fas-associated death domain (FADD) and procaspase 8, which results in suppression of the activation of caspases 8, 3 and 2. Interestingly, E6 does not interfere with the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway even though HCT116 cells have been classified as type II cells with regard to TRAIL signaling. These findings demonstrate that E6 has a more generalized effect on signaling by death ligands than was previously thought and support the notion that E6 can utilize p53-independent mechanisms to modulate cell survival.     

Differential regulation of cutaneous oncoprotein HPVE6 by wtp53, mutant p53R248W and ΔNp63α is HPV type dependent

UV exposure and p53 mutations are major factors in non-melanoma skin cancer, whereas a role for HPV infections has not been defined. Previous data demonstrated the wtp53-mediated degradation of cutaneous HPV20E6 by caspase-3. ΔNp63α and hot-spot mutant p53R248W conveyed a protective effect on HPV20E6 under these conditions. We demonstrate a differential regulation by wtp53 of the E6 genes of cutaneous types HPV4, HPV5, HPV7, HPV27, HPV38, HPV48, HPV60 and HPV77. Caspase- or proteasome-mediated down-regulation was HPV type dependent. Mutant p53R248W up-regulated expression of all these E6 proteins as did ΔNp63α except for HPV38E6 which was down-regulated by the latter. None of these cellular proteins affected HPV41E6 expression. Ectopic expression of both mutp53R248W and ΔNp63α in the normal NIKS keratinocyte cell line harbouring endogenous p53 and p63however led to a down-regulation of HPV20E6. We demonstrate that HPV20E6 expression in these cells is modulated by additional, yet unidentified, cellular protein(s), which are not necessarily involved in apoptosis or autophagy. We further demonstrate proliferation of HPV20E6-expressing keratinocytes. Levels of proteins involved in cell cycle control, cyclin-D1, cdk6 and p16(INK4a), phosphorylated pRB, as well as c-Jun and p-c-Jun, were all increased in these cells. HPV20E6 did not compete for the interaction between p16(INK4a) with cyclin-D1 or cdk6. Phosphorylation of pRB in the HPV20E6 expressing cells seems to be sufficient to override the cytokenetic block induced by the p16(INK4a)/pRB pathway. The present study demonstrates the diverse influence of p53 family members on individual cutaneous HPVE6 proteins. HPV20E6 expression also resulted in varying protein levels of factors involved in proliferation and differentiation.     

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.     

Human papillomavirus E6 proteins bind p53 in vivo and abrogate p53-mediated repression of transcription.

The transforming proteins of DNA tumor viruses SV40, adenovirus and human papillomaviruses (HPV) bind the retinoblastoma and p53 cell cycle regulatory proteins. While the binding of SV40 large T antigen and the adenovirus E1B 55 kDa protein results in the stabilization of the p53 protein, the binding of HPV16 and 18 E6 results in enhanced degradation in vitro. To explore the effect of viral proteins on p53 stability in vivo, we have examined cell lines immortalized in tissue culture by HPV18 E6 and E7 or SV40 large T antigen, as well as cell lines derived from cervical neoplasias. The half-life of the p53 protein in non-transformed human foreskin keratinocytes in culture was found to be approximately 3 h while in cell lines immortalized by E6 and E7, p53 protein half-lives ranged from 2.8 h to less than 1 h. Since equivalent levels of E6 were found in these cells, the range in p53 levels observed was not a result of variability in amounts of E6. In keratinocyte lines immortalized by E7 alone, the p53 half-life was found to be similar to that in non-transformed cells; however, it decreased to approximately 1 h following supertransfection of an E6 gene. These observations are consistent with an interaction of E6 and p53 in vivo resulting in reductions in the stability of p53 ranging between 2- and 4-fold. We also observed that the expression of various TATA containing promoters was repressed in transient assays by co-transfection with plasmids expressing the wild-type p53 gene.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Loss of p53 protein in human papillomavirus type 16 E6-immortalized human mammary epithelial cells.

We have shown previously that introduction of the human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) or HPV18 genome into human mammary epithelial cells induces their immortalization. These immortalized cells have reduced growth factor requirements. We report here that transfection with a single HPV16 gene E6 is sufficient to immortalize these cells and reduce their growth factor requirements. The RB protein is normal in these cells, but the p53 protein is sharply reduced, as shown by immunoprecipitation with anti-p53 antibody (pAB 421). We infer that the E6 protein reduces the p53 protein perhaps by signalling its destruction by the ubiquitin system. The HPV-transforming gene E7 was unable to immortalize human mammary epithelial cells. Thus, cell-specific factors may determine which viral oncogene plays a major role in oncogenesis.     

Multiple Functions of Human Papillomavirus Type 16 E6 Contribute to the Immortalization of Mammary Epithelial Cells

The E6 proteins from cervical cancer-associated human papillomavirus (HPV) types such as HPV type 16 (HPV-16) induce proteolysis of the p53 tumor suppressor protein through interaction with E6-AP. We have previously shown that human mammary epithelial cells (MECs) immortalized by HPV-16 E6 display low levels of p53. HPV-16 E6 as well as other cancer-related papillomavirus E6 proteins also binds the cellular protein E6BP (ERC-55). To explore the potential functional significance of these interactions, we created and analyzed a series of E6 mutants for their ability to interact with E6-AP, p53, and E6BP in vitro. While there was a similar pattern of binding among these E6 targets, a subset of mutants differentiated E6-AP binding, p53 binding, and p53 degradation activities. These results demonstrated that E6 binding to E6-AP is not sufficient for binding to p53 and that E6 binding to p53 is not sufficient for inducing p53 degradation. The in vivo activity of these HPV-16 E6 mutants was tested in MECs. In agreement with the in vitro results, most of these p53 degradation-defective E6 mutants were unable to reduce the p53 level in early-passage MECs. Interestingly, several mutants that showed severely reduced ability for interacting with E6-AP, p53, and E6BP in vitro efficiently immortalized MECs. These immortalized cells exhibited low p53 levels at late passage. Furthermore, mutants defective for p53 degradation but able to immortalize MECs were also identified, and the immortal cells retained normal levels of p53 protein. These results imply that multiple functions of HPV-16 E6 contribute to MEC immortalization.     

The High-Risk HPV16 E7 Oncoprotein Mediates Interaction between the Transcriptional Coactivator CBP and the Retinoblastoma Protein pRb

The oncoprotein E7 from human papillomavirus (HPV) strains that confer high cancer risk mediates cell transformation by deregulating host cellular processes and activating viral gene expression through recruitment of cellular proteins such as the retinoblastoma protein (pRb) and the cyclic-AMP response element binding binding protein (CBP) and its paralog p300. Here we show that the intrinsically disordered N-terminal region of E7 from high-risk HPV16 binds the TAZ2 domain of CBP with greater affinity than E7 from low-risk HPV6b. HPV E7 and the tumor suppressor p53 compete for binding to TAZ2. The TAZ2 binding site in E7 overlaps the LxCxE motif that is crucial for interaction with pRb. While TAZ2 and pRb compete for binding to a monomeric E7 polypeptide, the full-length E7 dimer mediates an interaction between TAZ2 and pRb by promoting formation of a ternary complex. Cell-based assays show that expression of full-length HPV16 E7 promotes increased pRb acetylation and that this response depends both on the presence of CBP/p300 and on the ability of E7 to form a dimer. These observations suggest a model for the oncogenic effect of high-risk HPV16 E7. The disordered region of one E7 molecule in the homodimer interacts with the pocket domain of pRb, while the same region of the other E7 molecule binds the TAZ2 domain of CBP/p300. Through its ability to dimerize, E7 recruits CBP/p300 and pRb into a ternary complex, bringing the histone acetyltransferase domain of CBP/p300 into proximity to pRb and promoting acetylation, leading to disruption of cell cycle control.     

Sonoporation Delivery of Monoclonal Antibodies against Human Papillomavirus 16 E6 Restores p53 Expression in Transformed Cervical Keratinocytes

High-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV), such as HPV16, have been found in nearly all cases of cervical cancer. Therapies targeted at blocking the HPV16 E6 protein and its deleterious effects on the tumour suppressor pathways of the cell can reverse the malignant phenotype of affected keratinocytes while sparing uninfected cells. Through a strong interdisciplinary collaboration between engineering and biology, a novel, non-invasive intracellular delivery method for the HPV16 E6 antibody, F127-6G6, was developed. The method employs high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) in combination with microbubbles, in a process known as sonoporation. In this proof of principle study, it was first demonstrated that sonoporation antibody delivery into the HPV16 positive cervical carcinoma derived cell lines CaSki and SiHa was possible, using chemical transfection as a baseline for comparison. Delivery of the E6 antibody using sonoporation significantly restored p53 expression in these cells, indicating the antibody is able to enter the cells and remains active. This delivery method is targeted, non-cytotoxic, and non-invasive, making it more easily translatable for in vivo experiments than other transfection methods.