Induction of E6/E7 expression in cottontail rabbit papillomavirus latency following UV activation.
Latent human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are widespread in the genital and respiratory tracts and are a source of recurrent disease. This study used a cottontail rabbit papillomavirus (CRPV) model to determine the presence of E1, E6, and E7 transcripts in latent infection and to determine the temporal change in transcripts following UV activation. We found E1 transcripts in all latently infected sites but no detectable E6 and E7 transcripts, consistent with our earlier studies of HPV6/11 latency. These results suggest that this transcription pattern is broadly characteristic of latent papillomavirus infections. E6/E7 transcripts were detectable within 1 week of irradiation, with maximal induction (approximately 40% of sites) at 2 weeks postirradiation. Papillomas were induced in approximately 26% of irradiated sites after a 3- to 5-week lag. Sites that did not form papillomas by 3 months after irradiation were CRPV DNA positive but E6/E7 RNA negative. Thus, only a subset of latent infections can be induced to express E6/E7 transcripts and form papillomas. We propose that CRPV can be used to study the molecular processes regulating papillomavirus activation.
Zhang
P
P
Long Island Jewish Medical Center, The Long Island Campus for the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New Hyde Park, New York 11040, USA.
Nouri
M
M
Brandsma
J L
JL
Iftner
T
T
Steinberg
B M
BM
D000818:Animals; D012777:Cottontail rabbit papillomavirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D015967:Gene Expression Regulation, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000528:radiation effects*; D005814:Genes, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D009856:Oncogene Proteins, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D010212:Papilloma / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D011817:Rabbits; D013997:Time Factors; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000235:genetics / Q000528:radiation effects; D015533:Transcriptional Activation / Q000235:genetics / Q000528:radiation effects; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014775:Virus Activation / Q000235:genetics; D017735:Virus Latency / Q000235:genetics* / Q000528:radiation effects
D004279:DNA, Viral; C079183:E7 protein, cottontail rabbit papillomavirus; D009856:Oncogene Proteins, Viral; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012367:RNA, Viral