The oncogenic effect of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) in cervical carcinoma is mediated primarily by which pair of viral gene products?
- A L1, which activates RAS, and L2, which inhibits p21
- B E6, which degrades p53, and E7, which binds RB ✓
- C E5, which amplifies EGFR signaling, and E6, which activates telomerase only
- D E2, which upregulates MYC, and E4, which disrupts keratin filaments
Correct answer: B. E6, which degrades p53, and E7, which binds RB
Explanation
In high-risk HPV types 16 and 18, the E6 protein recruits the ubiquitin ligase E6AP to ubiquitinate and degrade p53, while E7 binds the RB pocket protein and displaces E2F, driving cells into S phase. Integration of viral DNA disrupts the E2 gene, removing negative feedback on E6 and E7 expression. Late genes L1 and L2 encode capsid proteins with no transforming activity, which eliminates the distractor built around them.
Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.