title: The human papillomavirus type 11 E1/\E4 protein is not essential for viral genome amplification.
abstract: An abundant human papillomavirus (HPV) protein E1/\E4 is expressed late in the virus life cycle in the terminally differentiated layers of epithelia. The expression of E1/\E4 usually coincides with the onset of viral DNA amplification. However, the function of E1/\E4 in viral life cycle is not completely understood. To examine the role of E1/\E4 in the virus life cycle, we introduced a single nucleotide change in the HPV-11 genome to result in a truncation of E1/\E4 protein without affecting the E2 amino acid sequence. This mutated HPV-11 genome was introduced into a human foreskin keratinocyte cell line immortalized by the catalytic subunit of human telomerase, deficient in p16(INK4a) expression, and previously shown to support the HPV-11 life cycle when grown in organotypic raft culture. We have demonstrated that E1/\E4 is dispensable for HPV-11 viral DNA amplification in the late stages of the viral life cycle.
authors: Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Drexel University, Stratton Hall Rm. 118, 3141 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Fang
authors: L R
authors: LR
authors: Budgeon
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Doorbar
authors: E R
authors: ER
authors: Briggs
authors: M K
authors: MK
authors: Howett