P19ARF inhibits the functions of the HPV16 E7 oncoprotein

The E7 oncoprotein encoded by high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV) plays a significant role in the development of HPV-related cancers. E7 is a potent stimulator of S phase and host DNA replication. These functions of E7 are linked to the deregulation of the Rb family of proteins. For example, E7 binds and induces proteolysis of Rb through the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway. Despite advances in our understanding of E7, reagents that inhibit E7 with promise in therapy have not been developed or identified. Here, we provide evidence that the tumor suppressor ARF can inhibit E7. We show that the expression of ARF causes a relocalization of E7 from the nucleoplasm to the nucleolus. Two distinct regions in ARF overlapping with the MDM2-binding sites are necessary for the relocalization of E7. Furthermore, we show that ARF blocks the proteolysis of Rb induced by E7. In addition, ARF expression inhibits DNA replication induced by E7. Although it is not known whether the endogenous ARF, which is expressed at a low level, interferes with E7, our results suggest that ARF is an effective inhibitor of E7. We speculate that ARF or an ARF-derived molecule might have a significant impact in therapy against HPV-related tumors.