Abstract
Telomerase extends the ends of linear chromosomes, and its expression leads to cellular immortalization. In HPV-associated cancers, telomerase is universally detected, and this occurs by activation of the catalytic subunit of telomerase, hTERT. The expression of hTERT is affected by both high-risk HPV E6 and E7. Seminal studies over the last two decades have identified the transcriptional, epigenetic, and post-transcriptional roles high-risk E6 and E7 have in telomerase regulation. This review will summarize these findings and highlight the importance of telomerase activation as an oncogenic pathway in HPV-associated cancer development and progression.
Keywords:
HPV E6; HPV E7; Telomerase; hTERT.
Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
MeSH terms
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Carcinogenesis / genetics
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Carcinogenesis / metabolism
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Carcinogenesis / pathology
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Cell Line
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Chromosomes / chemistry
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Chromosomes / metabolism
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Enzyme Activation
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Epigenesis, Genetic
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Host-Pathogen Interactions
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Humans
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Keratinocytes / metabolism
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Keratinocytes / virology
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Oncogene Proteins, Viral / genetics*
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Oncogene Proteins, Viral / metabolism
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Papillomaviridae / genetics*
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Papillomaviridae / growth & development
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Papillomaviridae / pathogenicity
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Papillomavirus E7 Proteins / genetics*
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Papillomavirus E7 Proteins / metabolism
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Papillomavirus Infections / enzymology
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Papillomavirus Infections / genetics
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Papillomavirus Infections / pathology
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Papillomavirus Infections / virology*
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Promoter Regions, Genetic
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Protein Processing, Post-Translational
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Protein Subunits / genetics
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Protein Subunits / metabolism
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Repressor Proteins / genetics*
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Repressor Proteins / metabolism
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Skin Neoplasms / enzymology
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Skin Neoplasms / genetics
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Skin Neoplasms / pathology
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Skin Neoplasms / virology*
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Telomerase / genetics*
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Telomerase / metabolism
Substances
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E6 protein, Human papillomavirus type 16
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Oncogene Proteins, Viral
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Papillomavirus E7 Proteins
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Protein Subunits
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Repressor Proteins
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oncogene protein E7, Human papillomavirus type 16
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TERT protein, human
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Telomerase