Human papillomavirus 16 E6 and E7 are associated with the nuclear matrix of cervical carcinoma cells

Carcinoma of uterine cervix is closely associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and HPV16 DNA has been shown to integrate into the genome of host cancer cells. The subgenomic fragments (E6E7) were found to be present in nuclear matrix (NM)-associated DNA by novel PCR. Further investigation showed the absence of E6 open reading frame (protein encoding sequence) in NM-associated DNA. DNA-protein binding assay (Southwestern blotting) labeled 2 groups of NM proteins that bound commonly to E6E7 DNA and specifically to either E6 or E7 DNA. Complex protein formation that was recognized by E6E7 was suggested. Further investigation into properties of these NM proteins may provide a better understanding of the role of HPV in cervical carcinogenesis.