Human papillomavirus type 18 E6 oncoprotein (HPV18 E6)

The Human papillomavirus type 18 E6 protein is a small, zinc-binding oncoprotein composed of approximately 150 amino acids with two zinc-finger domains. It serves as an adaptor to recruit cellular ubiquitin ligase, targeting tumor suppressor proteins such as p53 and PDZ-domain-containing proteins for proteasomal degradation. This impairs apoptosis, promotes cell proliferation, enhances telomerase activity, and disrupts normal cell cycle and immune responses, making it central to HPV-mediated carcinogenesis. Therapeutic efforts are focused on inhibiting E6’s ability to degrade p53 and interfere with host tumor suppressors.

Other names

HPV E6 proteinHPV-18 E6E6 oncoprotein

Drugs may aim to block E6’s interaction with p53 or E6-associated protein (E6AP), restoring p53 function. They may also inhibit E6-mediated activation of telomerase or disrupt E6's interaction with PDZ domain-containing substrates to prevent degradation of tumor suppressors.