Identification of HPV16’s E6 gene in suspected cases of cervical lesions and docking study of its L1 protein with active components of Echinacea purpurae

Abstract

Background: HPV 16 is the primary etiologic agent of cervical cancer and the presence of L1 and E6 oncoproteins are largely responsible for its virulence. It was the objective of this study to identify HPV16 isolates from suspected cases of cervical cancer at Specialist Hospital Sokoto and Sir Yahaya Memorail Hospiatal Birnin Kebbi, Nigeria and also to identifypotent HPV16’s L1 protein inhibitor using in silico analysis.
 Methods: A total of 144 cervical samples consisting of 21 low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, 6 high grade lesion and 117 negative pap smears were collected. The samples were subjected for molecular detection using PCR targeting E6 gene of the virus. Data generated for the molecular prevalence was statistically analyzed using Chi-square method. AutoDock Vina was used to carry out the molecular docking between 2hr5 and Chicoric acid, curcumin and Echinacoside.
 Results: Out of the 144 samples, 24 samples were positive for the PCR representing 16.9% molecular prevalence rate. There is statistically significant association between cyto-diagnoses and presence of HPV16 (P < 0.05). Docking analysis showed that the Chicoric acid components of Echinacea purpurae have strong binding affinity (-8.7 kcal/mol) to the L1 protein of the HPV.
 Conclusion: This study provides data on HPV 16 epidemiology in northern Nigeria, and also provides novel evidence for consideration on certain interacting residues, when synthesizing Anti-HPV compounds in the wet lab.
 Keywords: HPV; Echinacea purpurae; chicoric acid; echinacoside; curcumin.

In Silico Investigation of Echinacea Purpurea Phyto Ligands Targeting Human Papillomavirus Type 18’s L1 Protein: Implications for Cervical Cancer Management

“…HPV type 18 and type 16 are isolates of one HPV type according to their intratypic molecular variants, only <10% variation in the nucleotide sequence of L1 is observed [15]. The L1 is a conserved region in HPV type 18 and HPV type 16 and heparin is observed in binding sites of both HPV type 18 and 16, which is involved in HPV infection [5,16].…”

“…HPV vaccination cost is beyond the limit for the average citizen, so E. purpurea as an affordable herbal therapy was reported in Nigeria for HPV infection. Immune system improvement and reduction in viral replication were reported with the use of Echinacea along with affordability and accessibility for the average citizen [5]. At present, there is no scientific report to prove the efficiency of Echinacea, but the potentiality of the plant for research on E. purpurea for HPV infection was reported through molecular docking analysis.…”

“…At present, there is no scientific report to prove the efficiency of Echinacea, but the potentiality of the plant for research on E. purpurea for HPV infection was reported through molecular docking analysis. Molecular docking analysis of Echinacea ligands (curcumin, echinacoside, and chicoric acid) was done against the pentamer structure of 2R5H [5]. L1 conserved region of protein 2R5H was targeted to check the binding affinity of Echinacea ligands and chicoric acid (−8.7 kcaL/moL) was reported as the best ligand according to docking results [5].…”

“…Molecular docking analysis of Echinacea ligands (curcumin, echinacoside, and chicoric acid) was done against the pentamer structure of 2R5H [5]. L1 conserved region of protein 2R5H was targeted to check the binding affinity of Echinacea ligands and chicoric acid (−8.7 kcaL/moL) was reported as the best ligand according to docking results [5].…”

“…Lukman et al in 2022 [5] demonstrated the significance of positive interaction and its potential implications in the viral life cycle and good binding mode of the "major capsid protein L1 of HPV type 16" (PDB ID: 2R5H) with Echinacea purpurea components. By exploring this novel association, we aim to study the interaction of "major capsid protein L1 of HPV type 18" (PDB ID: 2R5H) with E. purpurea phytoligands (curcumin, echinacoside, and chicoric acid) [5]. While different HPV types may have distinct genetic variations, the L1 protein is relatively conserved among HPV type 16 and 18 strains.…”