PKM2: a target of the HPV-16 E7 oncoprotein

The human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16) belongs to the high risk types of papillomavirus and is linked with malignant human cervix cancer. The transforming principles of HPV-16 are the E6 and E7 oncoprotein.

The E7 oncoprotein has no enzyme specific activities but directly binds to certain cellular proteins, such as RB, glucosidase, JGBP3.

With the yeast two hybrid technique M2-PK was identified as another important target of the E7 oncoprotein.

The binding of E7 to PKM2 leads to a dimerization of PKM2.

NIH 3T3 cells are transformed by E7 alone.

In normal rat kidney cells (NRK cells) a second oncoprotein (ras) is necessary for transformation.