Measles virus phosphoprotein inhibits apoptosis and enhances clonogenic and migratory properties in HeLa cells
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Updated: Jan 28, 2026

A Mass Spectrometry-Based Approach to Identify Phosphoprotein Phosphatases and their Interactors
Published on: April 29, 2022
Sankhajit Bhattacharjee1, Rishi Kumar Jaiswal, Pramod Kumar Yadava
1Applied Molecular Biology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110 067, India.
Abstract:
Measles virus is the causative agent of measles, a major cause of child mortality in developing countries. Two major proteins, coded by the viral genome, are nucleocapsid protein (N) and phosphoprotein (P). The N protein protects the viral genomic RNA and forms ribonucleoprotein complex (RNP) together with P protein. MeV-P protein recruits the large protein (L), i.e. viral RNA-depended RNA polymerase (RdRp), to ensure viral replication in host cell. Apoptogenic properties of N protein of Edmonston vaccine strain have been established in our lab previously. We investigated the role of MeV-P protein of Edmonston vaccine strain as modulator of apoptosis in cervical cancer cell line (HeLa) and found that MeV-P protein is anti-apoptotic and enhances cell proliferation. Measles virus is considered to be innately oncotropic virus. However, the anti-apoptotic property of MeV-P protein raises important concerns while adopting this virus as an anti-cancer therapeutic tool.
Insights
Measles virus phosphoprotein (P) from the Edmonston strain was found to be anti-apoptotic in HeLa cervical cancer cells, promoting cell proliferation. This finding raises concerns for using measles virus as an oncotropic cancer therapy.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Measles virus (MeV) causes significant child mortality globally.
- Key viral proteins include nucleocapsid (N) and phosphoprotein (P).
- MeV is considered an oncotropic virus with potential therapeutic applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of MeV phosphoprotein (P) from the Edmonston vaccine strain.
- To determine MeV-P's function as a modulator of apoptosis in HeLa cervical cancer cells.
Main Methods:
- Cell culture of HeLa cervical cancer cells.
- Analysis of apoptosis modulation by MeV-P protein.
- Assessment of cell proliferation enhancement by MeV-P.
Main Results:
- MeV-P protein exhibits anti-apoptotic properties in HeLa cells.
- MeV-P enhances the proliferation of cervical cancer cells.
- The anti-apoptotic function of MeV-P impacts its therapeutic potential.
Conclusions:
- MeV-P protein possesses anti-apoptotic and cell proliferation-enhancing activities.
- These properties of MeV-P warrant careful consideration for measles virus-based cancer therapy.
- Further research is needed to understand the implications of MeV-P's function in oncotropism.
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