Human papillomavirus type 18 E7 oncoprotein (HPV18 E7)

The Human papillomavirus type 18 (HPV18) E7 oncoprotein is a small, zinc-binding phosphoprotein that serves as a critical driver of oncogenesis in high-risk HPV infections (UniProt P06788). Its primary mechanism involves binding to the retinoblastoma protein (pRb) and its relatives (p107 and p130), leading to their proteasomal degradation (PubMed: 10482237). This interaction disrupts the pRb-E2F complex, resulting in the uncontrolled release of E2F transcription factors and the subsequent induction of S-phase entry and cellular proliferation (NCBI: NBK2250). Additionally, E7 contributes to genomic instability and inhibits apoptosis, which are necessary for the maintenance of the transformed state in cervical, oropharyngeal, and anogenital cancers (PubMed: 28453508). Because E7 is a non-human viral protein constitutively expressed in HPV-associated tumors, it is an ideal target for immunotherapy. Therapeutic strategies currently under investigation include DNA vaccines like VGX-3100 and peptide-based vaccines designed to elicit a robust T-cell response against E7-expressing malignant cells (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03721341). Other experimental approaches involve the use of siRNA or CRISPR/Cas9 to directly silence or disrupt the E7 gene, thereby inducing senescence or apoptosis in cancer cells (PubMed: 25100748).

Other names

Protein E7E7 proteinHPV-18 E7Early protein E7

Binding and degradation of the retinoblastoma protein (pRb), leading to the release of E2F transcription factors and induction of S-phase entry (PubMed: 10482237).