Protein profiling and identification of modulators regulated by the E7 oncogene in the C33A cell line by proteomics and genomics

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) have been recognized as the primary cause of cervical cancer. HPV 16 E7 binds to tumor suppressor retinoblastoma protein, and interferes with its function, causing release of the transcription factor E2F, which influences expression of cell cycle-related genes. This study was performed to identify the genes and proteins modulated by the HPV E7 oncogene. An HPV-negative cervical cancer cell line (C33A) was prepared to establish a stable cell line expressing E7. In order to analyze the target molecules modulated by E7 expression, we used two approaches: matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and DNA microarrays. Forty-seven spots were identified in C33A/E7 by two-dimensional electrophoresis and MALDI/TOF MS. Protein disulfide isomerase A3, integrase interactor 1 protein, growth inhibitory protein, glutathione S-transferase P, and vav proto-oncogene were down-regulated, whereas heat shock 60 kDa protein 1, Ku70 binding protein, alpha enolase, 26S proteasome subunit were up-regulated. A genomic approach using a microarray kit showed that IL-12Rbeta1, cytochrome c, and tumor necrosis factor receptor II were induced by the E7 oncogene. These results suggest that E7 can evade immune surveillance by suppressing or inducing these cell signaling factors, cell cycle regulators, and chaperones.