Generation of human papillomavirus type 11 and 18 genomes encoding hemagglutinin epitope-tagged E1 proteins

Abstract

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are associated with numerous disorders ranging from warts to cancerous diseases. Although vaccination against several types of HPVs is available, a number of HPV-associated cancers remains stable. Therefore, studies on HPV are required for developing novel HPV-targeting drugs. Encoded by HPV E1 helicase is absolutely required for HPV replication. Therefore, it is a good target for developing antiviral drugs. This project aimed at generating HPV11 and HPV18 genomes encoding human influenza hemagglutinin (HA)-tagged E1 proteins with the further goal to test their replication ability in U2OS cell line. The study revealed that HA-tagged E1 proteins maintained the replication of the modified HPV genomes at levels similar to wild-type HPVs (wtHPVs). Thus, this study opens possibilities to investigate HPV11 and HPV18 endogenous E1 proteins using highly specific antibodies against HA epitope and introduces a less expensive and universal method to study E1-associated processes in the HPV life cycle.