Review
Copyright ©2005 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Feb 21, 2005; 11(7): 931-937
Published online Feb 21, 2005. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v11.i7.931
Regulation of apoptosis by the papillomavirus E6 oncogene
Ting-Ting Li, Li-Na Zhao, Zhi-Guo Liu, Ying Han, Dai-Ming Fan
Ting-Ting Li, Li-Na Zhao, Zhi-Guo Liu, Ying Han, Dai-Ming Fan, Institute of Gastroenterology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, Shaanxi Province, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No.30400016, the Elite Program of FMMU, No.4138A4324 and the Major State Basic Research Development Program of China (973 Program), No. 2004CB518702
Correspondence to: Zhi-Guo Liu, M.D., Ph.D., Institute of Gastroenterology, 15 West Changle Road, Xijing Hospital Xi’an 710032, Shaanxi Province, China. liuzhiguo@fmmu.edu.cn
Telephone: +86-29-83375229 Fax: +86-29-82539041
Received: July 23, 2004
Revised: July 26, 2004
Accepted: October 20, 2004
Published online: February 21, 2005
Abstract

Infection with human papillomaviruses is strongly associated with the development of multiple cancers including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. The HPV E6 gene is essential for the oncogenic potential of HPV. The regulation of apoptosis by oncogene has been related to carcinogenesis closely; therefore, the modulation of E6 on cellular apoptosis has become a hot research topic recently. Inactivation of the pro-apoptotic tumor suppressor p53 by E6 is an important mechanism by which E6 promotes cell growth; it is expected that inactivation of p53 by E6 should lead to a reduction in cellular apoptosis, numerous studies showed that E6 could in fact sensitize cells to apoptosis. The molecular basis for apoptosis modulation by E6 is poorly understood. In this article, we will present an overview of observations and current understanding of molecular basis for E6-induced apoptosis.

Keywords: HPV, E6, Apoptosis, Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma