title: New variants of human papillomavirus type 18 identified in central Brazil.
abstract: HPV-18 is the second most prevalent human papillomavirus genotype found in cervical cancer. Nucleotide variations in HPV-18 sequence can interfere with the viral oncogenic potential. However, the knowledge about HPV-18 variants in Brazil is still limited. The present study aims to determine the LCR, E6, and L1 genetic variability of HPV-18 variants found in women co-infected with HIV-1 in Central Brazil. Four HPV-18 samples were identified and had the LCR, E6, and L1 genomic regions sequenced. It was possible to characterize three European variants and one African variant of HPV-18. All of them are new variants, showing nucleotide substitutions not previously reported. Nucleotide variations in binding sites for transcriptional factors were observed. Phylogenetic analysis was also performed, evidencing the three clusters related to the Asian-American, African, and European variants. The characterization of HPV genetic variability is of pivotal importance to the understanding of the viral pathogenicity.
authors.affiliation: Pós-Graduação em Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade de Brasília ICC Sul, 70919-900, Brasília, DF, Brazil. danimarreco@yahoo.com.br
authors.forename: Daniela Marreco
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Cerqueira
authors.forename: Tainá
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Raiol
authors.forename: Nazle Mendonça Collaço
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Véras
authors.forename: Natália
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: von Gal Milanezi
authors.forename: Fádia Aguiar
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Amaral
authors.forename: Marcelo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Macedo Brígido
authors.forename: Cláudia Renata Fernandes
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Martins
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D001938:Brazil; D005260:Female; D014644:Genetic Variation; D052161:Human papillomavirus 18 / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000821:virology*; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D014764:Viral Proteins