ErbB4 (JM-b/CYT-1)-induced expression and phosphorylation of c-Jun is abrogated by human papillomavirus type 16 E5 protein.

Human papillomavirus type 16 E5 (HPV-16 E5) is a highly hydrophobic membrane protein with weak-transforming activity, which is associated with ErbB4 receptor in HPV-16-infected cervical lesions. Presently, we investigated the transforming mechanisms of E5 involving ErbB4 signaling. Firstly, we report a role for ErbB4 (JM-b/CYT-1) receptor that activates c-jun gene expression and phosphorylating at Ser63 and Ser73 of the c-Jun protein in ligand-independent and Ras-c-jun NH(2)-terminal kinase-dependent pathway. Secondly, we show that HPV-16 E5 protein can form a complex with ErbB4 via binding to the extracellular and transmembrane domains of ErbB4 (JM-b/CYT-1). When co-expressing HPV-16 E5 and ErbB4 in cells, E5 can abrogate ErbB4-induced c-Jun protein expression and phosphorylation resulted in increasing cell proliferation compared to ErbB4-expressing cells. The interaction between of HPV-16 E5 and ErbB4 provides more insight into the mechanisms of HPV-16 E5 transformation induction.