title: Felis catus papillomavirus type 2 E6 oncogene enhances mitogen-activated protein kinases and Akt activation but not EGFR expression in an in vitro feline model of viral pathogenesis.
abstract: A possible causative role of Felis catus papillomavirus type 2 (FcaPV2) in the development of feline oral and cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) has been recently suggested by demonstrating viral gene expression in vivo and transforming properties by its putative oncogenes E6 and E7 in vitro. The activated molecules MEK (pMEK), ERK (pERK) and Akt (pAkt) are signaling transduction effectors regulating cell proliferation and inhibition of apoptosis, which are critical steps towards tumour formation. Here, we show by Western blotting (WB) that expression of FcaPV2 E6 in feline epithelial cells enhances pMEK, pERK and pAkt levels compared to control cells. Additionally, we demonstrated by real-time quantitative PCR on epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) transcripts and WB that activation of these signaling routes is independent from EGFR differential gene expression, total protein levels or phosphorylation, unlike in human papillomavirus associated tumours. This study contributes to define the molecular scenario underlying FcaPV2-triggered pathogenesis of feline SCC.
authors: Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Via F. Delpino, 1, 80137 Napoli, Italy. Electronic address: gennaro.altamura@unina.it.
authors: Gennaro
authors: G
authors: Altamura
authors: Institute of Protein Biochemistry (IBP), National Council of Research (CNR), Via Pietro Castellino, 111, 80131 Napoli, Italy. Electronic address: a.corteggio@ibp.cnr.it.
authors: Annunziata
authors: A
authors: Corteggio
authors: Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Via F. Delpino, 1, 80137 Napoli, Italy. Electronic address: borzacch@unina.it.
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Borzacchiello
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D002415:Cats; D002460:Cell Line; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000821:virology; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015967:Gene Expression Regulation, Viral / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D020929:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009857:Oncogenes; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D066246:ErbB Receptors; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; D020929:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases
keywords: EGFR; FcaPV2; Feline SCC; MAPK; pAkt