The human papillomavirus type 8 E2 gene encodes a transforming activity sufficient for skin tumor formation in transgenic mice.
Infections with beta-genus human papillomaviruses (HPVs) have been associated with nonmelanoma skin cancers, particularly in immunocompromised patients and individuals with a rare genetic disease, epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV). Using a transgenic mouse model, Herbert Pfister's group determined that expression of the HPV8 E2 gene results in skin cancer development and that this process is greatly accelerated by UV irradiation (Pfefferle et al., 2008, this issue).
McLaughlin-Drubin
Margaret
M
Infectious Diseases Division, The Channing Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. mdrubin@rics.bwh.harvard.edu
Münger
Karl
K
D000818:Animals; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics* / Q000528:radiation effects; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015967:Gene Expression Regulation, Viral / Q000502:physiology*; D005814:Genes, Viral / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000235:genetics; D009856:Oncogene Proteins, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000150:complications; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000821:virology*; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects
D009856:Oncogene Proteins, Viral; D015534:Trans-Activators; C468298:oncogene protein E2, Human papillomavirus type 8