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Updated: Sep 21, 2025

Assessment of Global DNA Double-Strand End Resection using BrdU-DNA Labeling coupled with Cell Cycle Discrimination Imaging
Published on: April 28, 2021
Beta HPV Deregulates Double-Strand Break Repair
Changkun Hu1, Nicholas Wallace1
1Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA.
Abstract:
Beta human papillomavirus (beta HPV) infections are common in adults. Certain types of beta HPVs are associated with nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) in immunocompromised individuals. However, whether beta HPV infections promote NMSC in the immunocompetent population is unclear. They have been hypothesized to increase genomic instability stemming from ultraviolet light exposure by disrupting DNA damage responses. Implicit in this hypothesis is that the virus encodes one or more proteins that impair DNA repair signaling. Fluorescence-based reporters, next-generation sequencing, and animal models have been used to test this primarily in cells expressing beta HPV E6/E7. Of the two, beta HPV E6 appears to have the greatest ability to increase UV mutagenesis, by attenuating two major double-strand break (DSB) repair pathways, homologous recombination, and non-homologous end-joining. Here, we review this dysregulation of DSB repair and emerging approaches that can be used to further these efforts.
Insights
Beta human papillomavirus (beta HPV) infections may promote skin cancer by disrupting DNA repair. Beta HPV E6 protein impairs double-strand break repair, increasing UV mutagenesis in skin cells.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Virology
- Genetics
Background:
- Beta human papillomavirus (beta HPV) infections are prevalent in adults.
- Certain beta HPV types are linked to nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) in immunocompromised individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if beta HPV infections contribute to NMSC in immunocompetent individuals.
- To explore the mechanism by which beta HPV may increase genomic instability and UV mutagenesis.
Main Methods:
- Utilized fluorescence-based reporters, next-generation sequencing, and animal models.
- Focused on cells expressing beta HPV E6 and E7 proteins.
- Examined the impact on DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair pathways.
Main Results:
- Beta HPV E6 protein demonstrated a significant ability to increase UV mutagenesis.
- Beta HPV E6 attenuates homologous recombination and non-homologous end-joining DSB repair pathways.
- This dysregulation of DNA repair signaling is a key finding.
Conclusions:
- Beta HPV E6 plays a role in impairing cellular DNA repair mechanisms.
- This impairment may contribute to the development of NMSC, even in immunocompetent individuals.
- Further research into these repair pathway disruptions is warranted.
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