| Abstract | Human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) is a small double stranded DNA genome virus of 7.8 Kb in size. Comparison between malignant lesions, premalignant lesions and benign cervical condylomas revealed that the genital HPV types could be broadly classified either as those associated with the development of benign lesions (HPV6, HPV11) or carcinoma (HPV16, HPV18). The presence of HPV16 in premalignant lesions indicates a high risk for cancer progression (1,3). Some recent studies using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) suggest that over 70% of normal female population may carry HPV16 DNA (4,5). We have initiated experiments to amplify, clone and express several HPV16 ORF in E. coli. We planned to raise HPV type specific antibodies against the corresponding protein products, both for diagnosis use and as a tool for the analysis of the HPV16 structural and functional polypeptides synthesis in cells under proliferation and differentiation conditions since most HPV containing lesions are a poor source of virus particles. A rapid and efficient strategy for the HPV16 E. ORF DNA amplification, cloning and expression is presented in this article. |
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