Role of HR-HPVs E6 and E7 Oncoproteins in Cervical Carcinogenesis

Abstract

The strategies that High Risk Human Papillomavirus (HR-HPVs) have developed in differentiating epithelial cells to reach a DNA-synthesis competent state are basically related to the overexpression of the E6 and E7 oncoproteins and the cellular regulatory pathways that are targeted by them. These are basically related to hallmarks of cancer, and include sustaining proliferative signals, the evasion of growth suppression and immune destruction, replicative immortality, inflammation, invasion, metastasis and angiogenesis, as well as genome instability, resisting cell death and deregulation of cellular energetics. In this minireview, we summarize some of the biological activities of HVP16 E6 and E7 oncoproteins in cervical carcinogenesis. From this, it is evident that cervical cancer may represent an important model to understand the different oncogenic mechanisms and processes involved not only in this neoplasia but also in the development of other human malignancies. Likewise, the miRNAs and cancer stem cellrelated markers expression could serve as novel molecular targets for the diagnosis and treatment of HPV positive cervical cancer.