Human papillomavirus 16 E7 protein (HPV16 E7)

The Human papillomavirus 16 E7 protein is a 98-amino acid multifunctional nuclear viral oncoprotein produced by high-risk HPV types, especially HPV16. It is structurally organized into three conserved regions; CR2 contains a zinc-binding motif critical for protein stability and interaction with host proteins. HPV16 E7 disrupts cell cycle control mainly through binding and promoting the degradation of the retinoblastoma protein (pRB), releasing E2F transcription factors and driving uncontrolled cell proliferation. The protein lacks enzymatic activity and functions primarily via interactions with host regulators, including recruitment of cullin 2 and ZER1 for targeted degradation of pRB via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. E7 is central to HPV-mediated oncogenesis, contributing to cervical and other anogenital cancers. Immune responses specifically targeting the E7 antigen are exploited in therapeutic vaccine strategies and serve as critical biomarkers for HPV disease monitoring and treatment[1][2][3][4][5].

Other names

E7 oncoproteinHPV16 E7 antigenE7 antigenHPV-16 E7 protein

Generation of cytotoxic T cell response against E7-expressing cells (therapeutic vaccination); Inhibition of E7-pRB interaction (experimental drug concept); Blockade of E7-mediated protein degradation (e.g., proteasome or cullin-RING ligase inhibition)