Modeling and analysis in silico of European variants of the E6 protein of human papillomavirus type 16

Abstract

Cervical cancer is the most studied oncopathology associated with Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and it is the second higher prevalence of cancer, affecting women globally. HPV is present in all cervical cancers, with the prevalence of type 16, which represents up to 70% of all cases of cervical cancer worldwide. The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) throughout the virus gene gave rise to viral variants, such as European variants of HPV type 16 oncoprotein E6. In the last decade, several studies investigated the relationship of SNP in oncoprotein E6 and the virus increased oncogenicity, rising E6 oncoprotein status to a potential therapeutic target. Although there are vaccines to prevent HPV infection, the adhesion and accessibility to it are very small, requiring the development of more effective treatments for the infection and control of oncogenicity mediated by HPV. In order to accomplish that, the knowledge and understanding of the protein structure is required. This project aims to model and analyze the structures of the European variants that causes the three most common mutations of high-risk HPV 16 oncoprotein E6, searching for the relationship between structural differences and oncogenic risk of the variants. (AU)