19] Expression of E1 protein of human papillomaviruses in eukaryotic cells

Abstract

Publisher Summary Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) contain a circular, double-stranded DNA genome of approximately 8 kb that is usually maintained in an extrachromosomal form at a relatively fixed copy number between 10 and 50. HPVs are responsible for benign epithelial proliferations (warts), and many HPVs are associated with human anogenital cancers, particularly cancer of the cervix. Replication of HPVs requires the viral E1 and E2 proteins and an origin of replication (ori). The ori contains an El-binding site and multiple E2-binding sites. The E1 and E2 proteins encoded by various HPVs are quite homologous. E1 is the replication initiator protein that is involved in the regulation of viral gene expression through its interaction with the E2 protein. This chapter describes the expression of the E1 proteins of HPV types 1a and 18 in mammalian and insect cells and the purification of the HPV-1a E1 protein from insect ceils using a baculovirus vector.