HPV E6 Gene Variability Analisys in Laryngeal Papillomatosis

• Grant number: 11/10388-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2011
• End date: July 31, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Molecular Genetics and Genetics of Microorganisms
• Principal Investigator: Paula Rahal
• Grantee: Isabela Mazuco Mansur
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências, Letras e Ciências Exatas (IBILCE). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de São José do Rio Preto. São José do Rio Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Laryngeal papillomatosis is the most common benign tumor in children, although it also presents considerable prevalence among adults. This disease is characterized by high recurrence rates and, in some cases, compromises the airway, requiring surgical intervention. Its causative agent is the human Papillomavirus (HPV), a DNA virus. Between the more than 100 HPV types already identified, the -6 and -11 types are most often found in various cases of the disease. Although these types have been classified as low risk HPV, some factors such as the expression of certain viral proteins, eg the E6 oncoprotein, may alter the cell host normal cycle and become the condition more severe. In this context, the main point of this project is to analyze the E6 gene variability in cases of laryngeal papillomatosis, checking possible nucleotide mutations in this gene, which encodes the E6 oncoprotein, and its relationship with the aggressive course of the disease. To this end, the viral DNA of 13 laryngeal polyp samples will be extracted, amplified and genotyped. The interesting genomic region will be cloned and, finally, sequenced and compared to sequences previously established as prototypes. After sequences analysis, a correlation between gene nucleotide mutations and patients´ clinical features will be established.