Final answer:
HPV proteins are split into early and late types, with high-risk types like E6 and E7 neutralizing tumor suppressor proteins, including p53, which can result in uncontrolled cell division and increased cancer risk.
Step-by-step explanation:
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) has a range of proteins, categorized into early and late proteins. Early proteins are involved in the viral replication and host cell transformation, while late proteins are structural and comprise the viral capsid. In HPV pathogenesis, the high-risk types of HPV produce proteins like E6 and E7, which can inactivate tumor suppressor proteins such as p53, leading to uncontrolled cell division and potential cancer development.
High-risk HPV types can produce two proteins—E6 and E7—that are especially critical in the progression to cancer due to their ability to bind to and neutralize host cell proteins like p53, which are involved in cell cycle regulation and apoptosis. When E6 binds to p53, it leads to the degradation of p53, thus reducing its tumor suppressor function, which can result in an increased risk of cancer, especially cervical cancer.