HPV-58 molecular variants exhibit different transcriptional activity.

Early promoter activity of HPV-58 molecular variants isolated from high-grade cervical lesions in Brazil was compared. Luciferase reporter assays were conducted in C33 cells transfected with the complete long control region of 3 molecular variants of HPV-58 as well as HPV-58, -18 or -16 prototypes. The HPV-58 prototype and Bsb-329 and Bsb-367 variants showed a promoter activity similar to that of HPV-16, but lower than that of Bsb-295 and HPV-18. The introduction of the Bsb-295 7788 mutation into the HPV-58 prototype resulted in the enhancement of transcription closer to Bsb-295 and HPV-18. These results could impact the expression of E6 and E7 viral oncogenes.