Final answer:
Attempting to immortalize cells with low-risk E6 and E7 proteins may be less effective compared to high-risk types. High-risk HPV types have proteins that can inhibit p53, a key regulator in preventing unchecked cell division and promoting apoptosis, which is essential for cell line creation.
Low-risk types may not be able to establish immortality as strongly, potentially leading to cell lines with limited lifespans.
Step-by-step explanation:
When attempting to immortalize cells with low-risk E6 and E7 proteins from HPV, the outcome may not be as efficient as with high-risk types. High-risk HPV types produce E6 and E7 proteins capable of neutralizing p53, which is a crucial protein in maintaining normal cell cycle regulation and initiating apoptosis in case of DNA damage.
The cell cycle is critical to control because unchecked cell division can lead to tumor formation and cancer. Low-risk HPV types have a lesser ability to neutralize p53, which might not be as potent in establishing immortality in cells.
If the low-risk HPV E6 and E7 proteins are insufficient to counteract the cell's repair mechanisms, the cells may not bypass the normal safeguards that prevent immortality.
Typically, to create a cell line, cells are fused with immortal cells capable of indefinite growth to override the limitations of finite cell division. If low-risk HPV E6 and E7 proteins fail to neutralize critical pathways for senescence and apoptosis effectively, the cells may not achieve an immortal state.
This can lead to cell lines with more limited lifespans or potentially fail to create stable cell lines suitable for industrial or scientific purposes.